The ASEAN Investment Report 2025 reveals that Philippine corporations are expanding their presence in regional value chains through research and development investments. Universal Robina Corporation, one of the country’s largest food and beverage manufacturers, recently opened an R&D center in Malaysia to support product testing and innovation.

This development illustrates a growing trend among Philippine firms to locate specialized functions abroad while maintaining production bases at home. The report states that such regional integration enhances competitiveness by connecting local expertise with international innovation networks.

By combining overseas research capacity with domestic production, Philippine companies gain access to new technologies, consumer insights, and supply-chain partners. This approach mirrors the strategies used by multinational corporations operating in ASEAN.

The report concludes that this outward expansion of Philippine firms represents a positive step in building resilience and adaptability within the region’s business ecosystem. The challenge now is to ensure that local policies continue to encourage innovation, cross-border collaboration, and human-capital development to sustain this upward trajectory.

Photo credit: https://www.urc.com.ph/