Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates pushes for industrial competitiveness

At the 1st Industrial Summit, the company leads in shaping a future-ready industrial economy

- CARLA MORTEL BARICAUA

In a groundbreaking move, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates convened key leaders from government, industry, and the academe at its pioneering Industrial Summit 2025, held at the New World Makati Hotel on April 25, 2025.

Under the theme, “Masterplanning the Industrial Landscape in the Philippines,” the summit served as a strategic platform to reinforce the country’s readiness for industrial growth—driven by integrated infrastructure, forward-looking policies, and strong public-private collaboration.

Recognizing the shift of global supply chains and intense regional competition, the discussions centered on the merits of the CREATE MORE law, the integration of ecosystems, and the call for cross-sector collaboration as stakeholders position the Philippines as a prime industrial investment destination.

In his welcome address, Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, head of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, outlined the Philippines’ strong fundamentals, while emphasizing the need for alignment and execution to unlock long-term potential.

"This summit is about ensuring that the Philippines is not just keeping pace, but setting the direction in the global industrial landscape—offering investors not just space, but a complete and competitive ecosystem for growth," said De Mesa.

He also emphasized that “the Philippines possesses strong fundamentals, a strong strategic location, a dynamic workforce, a growing domestic market, and an improving policy environment, evidenced by the local passage of the CREATE MORE law. However, we recognized that these strengths must be coupled by decisive action to overcome infrastructure gaps, regulatory hurdles, and talent mismatch. Challenges that demand executions, innovation, and crucially, collaborations.”

A foundation for progress