What is the outlook for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Philippines?
FDI inflows to the Philippines remained robust in 2016, exceeding government estimates and surprising many which have criticized the government’s heavy-handed approach to the war on drugs. Moving into 2017, new foreign investment projects are projected to remain consistent with growth figures of the year prior, evidenced by flat business confidence polling in Q1 and similar expectations for Q2. With key growth expected in traditional sectors, such as the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, the extent to which capital flows will be realized hinges on the reform policies of the Duterte administration.
