Market Expansion into the Philippines

The Philippine economy reached a nominal GDP of USD 507.6 billion in 2024, achieving a 5.6% growth rate and making it the second-fastest-growing economy in ASEAN after Vietnam. This steady performance, despite global headwinds and domestic constraints, positions the Philippines among Asia’s economic frontrunners. The government’s commitment to infrastructure spending – targeting 5-6% of GDP annually through 2028 under the ‘Build Better More’ program – aims to sustain economic momentum.

With a population exceeding 109 million, the Philippines is the world’s 13th most populous country. As the third-largest English-speaking nation globally, it has a highly skilled and adaptable workforce, providing a significant competitive advantage in Asia.

The Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry remains a key growth driver, supported by strong demand from North America and ongoing workforce upskilling in IT support, cybersecurity, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.

The Philippines also has abundant mineral resources, with substantial reserves of copper, gold, and zinc, reinforcing its role in the global mining industry.

In recent years, the Philippine government has introduced structural reforms to enhance the country’s business environment. These include liberalizing foreign investment in infrastructure, tourism, telecommunications, and power. The country’s inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement has further expanded access to international trade and investment.

Orissa International assisted a US-based environmental chemical company that manufactures a range of products and solutions for the municipal and industrial markets, used in environmental applications in the areas of water, air, and remediation. The company participated in the Water Philippines 2019 trade show to help increase their export sales in the country. In addition to identifying potential partners and organizing meetings for the company, Orissa International’s team in the Philippines also provided on-site support during the event. We facilitated its meetings with 12 environmental engineering companies, distributors, engineering contractors and general construction firms.

A leading Swiss manufacturer of elevator ropes, architectural ropes and wire ropes, lashing and lifting gear approached Orissa International for assistance with market entry in the Philippines. Our in-market team in the Philippines undertook research to formalize a long-list of suitable potential distributors. Based on feedback received from our client on each of the prospects, we then commenced our direct outreach to prospective partners, to pre-qualify their interest in representing our client. In addition to securing a distributor for the local market, our client was able to gain valuable insights about the construction industry in the country from the 10 meetings Orissa International organized with local distributors of building maintenance unit ropes.

Orissa International undertook an in-depth study on the Philippine wood sector for a Canadian market development agency for forestry products. Our local team analyzed key trends in domestic timber production and consumption; usage of wood in the construction and furniture manufacturing sectors; and imports and exports of wood products. It also provided comparative pricing data and logistics costs, information on tariff and non-tariff barriers, and offered recommendations on marketing activities to help develop the market for softwoods in the country. Our methodology included an extensive review of secondary sources of information, and 15 in-depth interviews with wood importers/distributors, building contractors and architects in the Philippines.