BDO, DTI Partnership Set to Make PH a Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing Hub in SEA

BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) has partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to strengthen the flow of foreign investments into the Philippines.

Right photo (L-R): Evariste M. Cagatan, Executive Director of Investments Promotion Services; Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo, Undersecretary and Managing Head of Board of Investments; and Charles M. Rodriguez, Executive Vice President and Head of BDO Unibank Institutional Banking Group pose with the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between BDO Unibank and the Department of Trade and Industry.

The partnership will focus on organizing investments seminars, business matching activities, and industry promotion missions designed to position the Philippines as a prime destination for foreign investments. These initiatives will highlight the country's skilled workforce, growing industries, and strategic position in Asia. The goal is to attract investments in key sectors such as manufacturing, technology, renewable energy and infrastructure, fostering the creation of new factories, jobs, and innovations that will benefit Filipinos.

Executive Vice President and Head of BDO Unibank’s Institutional Banking Group, Charles M. Rodriguez, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: "This partnership reflects our shared commitment to making the Philippines a key investments destination for both foreign and local businesses. Through these investments, we contribute to the country’s economic growth, which has consistently ranked among the strongest in the ASEAN region over the past decades."
 

Left photo (L-R): Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo, DTI Undersecretary and Managing Head of Board of Investments and Charles M. Rodriguez, Executive Vice President and Head of BDO Unibank Institutional Banking Group, sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between BDO Unibank and the Department of Trade and Industry to promote foreign investments in the Philippines.

DTI Undersecretary and Board of Investments Managing Head, Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo, underscored the strategic benefits of the partnership: "By combining BDO’s financial expertise and DTI’s investment policy leadership, we can create a more competitive environment for investors. This collaboration ensures that the Philippines is recognized not just as a growing market, but as a destination for sustainable, long-term investments."
 
The collaboration between BDO and DTI goes beyond attracting foreign capital. It aims to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by connecting them with foreign companies that bring advanced technology, capital, and innovative business practices. In doing so, local industries can enjoy protracted growth and be more capable of providing opportunities for Filipino workers.
 
Rodolfo also highlighted the government’s role in ensuring the success of these efforts: “It’s vital to empower the private sector to leverage market-based tools, as we share common stakeholders. There are so many initiatives where we have partnered already, and we will continue to work together to entice more investors. This synergy will help position the Philippines as a smart and sustainable manufacturing and services hub in Southeast Asia.” He added that the government must be proactive in facilitating such partnerships, as the Philippines is one of the fastest-growing economies in the fastest-growing region.
 
This partnership between BDO and DTI is a crucial step toward enhancing the Philippines' appeal to foreign investors, driving industrial growth, and creating a wealth of new opportunities for Filipinos.