WB sees reforms boosting PHL appeal to investors

THE PHILIPPINES can become more attractive to investors by pursuing key reforms that allay their concerns about risk, the World Bank (WB) said.

- By Justine Irish D. Tabile Reporter

"Uncertainty is a cost for firms, and increasing uncertainty means that investment is deterred," World Bank Philippine Lead Economist Gonzalo Varela said at the 2025 World Competitiveness Forum on Tuesday.

"To seize that opportunity, what is needed is to offset investment costs from the point of view of domestic reforms," he added.

Citing the World Bank’s Business Ready report, he said the Philippines is strong in regulatory frameworks, but lags on implementation.

"The challenge is to focus on implementation so that we can take advantage of the fantastic regulatory framework that you have in place," he said.

He singled out key Philippine reforms like the opening up of renewable energy projects to full foreign ownership, after having previously been capped at 40%.