By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Amid the backdrop of global uncertainty, Southeast Asian countries continue to benefit from a steady stream of foreign investments on future jobs and projects.
This, as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) 11 member states recorded USD 243.9 billion in investments in 2025—representing the fifth consecutive year where investments exceeded USD 200 billion.
Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said in a statement on Saturday, “The message from ASEAN today is clear: ASEAN remains open for business, committed to regional cooperation, and determined to compete successfully in the industries of the future.”
That confidence is already turning into jobs Filipinos can point to. Projects the Philippines approved in 2025 alone are projected to create more than 153,000 jobs, and projects approved in just the first six months of 2026 add nearly 54,000 more, over 200,000 jobs already in the pipeline in a year and a half of approvals.
Separately, the government’s Green Lane program, which fast-tracks the country’s biggest strategic investments, has certified 239 projects worth P6.32 trillion since it started. Once those are fully built and running, they’re expected to employ around 421,000 people.
Beyond increasing volumes of investment unhampered by recent developments unhampered by trade tensions, Usec. Rodolfo underscored the importance of using these investments to generate innovation, create additional jobs, and foster sustainable development.
Meanwhile, 11 companies will be honored on Tuesday at the Ninth ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum in Pasay City in recognition of their efforts towards incorporating people usually left out of the formal economy into profitable ventures that contribute to their respective economies.
These include the following, to name a few:
- Coffee chain Foreword Coffee (Singapore)
- Agri-food company Confirel (Cambodia)
- Spice enterprise Agradaya (Indonesia)
- Natural and herbal products company M2T (Timor-Leste)
- Kawayan Collective (Philippines)
The forum forms part of the series of meetings ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit that will be held in November.
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