The Philippines has become one of Southeast Asia’s most open investment destinations. A series of landmark reforms has expanded foreign ownership opportunities across the country’s key sectors: renewable energy, digital infrastructure, consumer, retail, and healthcare, resulting in clearer pathways, fewer restrictions, and significantly expanded entry routes for global strategic and financial investors.
Here are the key takeaways:
1. Multiple priority sectors now allow up to 100% foreign ownership
- Renewable energy generation fully opened
- Digital infrastructure (towers, fiber, data centers) liberalized
- Consumer and retail now far more accessible under lower capital requirements
- Pharma and MedTech fully open, with strong opportunities for hospitals via JV structures
2. Key reforms reshape infrastructure and market entry pathways
- RA 11659 (2022): Public Service Act: Telecoms, air transport, rail, and logistics reclassified as “public services,” removing the 40% foreign equity cap
- RA 11595 (2021) Retail Trade Act: Lower capital requirements under simplified rules enable easier market entry
- RA 11647 (2022) Foreign Investments Act: Broader access to 100% foreign ownership for startups and tech
- DOE DC1 2022-11-0034 Renewable Energy rules: Long-tenor land leases and 100% ownership for RE generation unlocking
3. Improved long-term asset access and development flexibility
- Foreign investors may now secure long-tenor land leases of up to 99 years, strengthening viability for large-scale projects across sectors
- Creates stronger opportunities in capital-intensive developments such as renewable energy and digital infrastructure
4. The net effect: clearer pathways, lower entry barriers, and a more predictable regulatory environment
- Investors face fewer constraints with successful market entry now hinging on understanding sector nuances and aligning with real execution realities
Thinking about entering or scaling in the Philippines?
At Index Partners, we help investors navigate regulatory reforms and local execution realities with actionable strategies grounded in real transaction experience from market entry to capital raising, M&A, and JV structuring.
📩 Reach out at: contact@index-partners.com
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