Pasay City — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) welcomed officials from Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), including representatives from SOHAR Port and Freezone, at the PEZA Investment and Corporate Center for a meeting with PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga, following the Oman–Philippines Investment Forum 2026 held last 26 July 2026 at Fairmont Makati.
PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga and other PEZA officials meeting with OPAZ officials, including representatives of SOHAR Port and Freezone at the PEZA Investment and Corporate Center
PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga and his team met with Ms. Khaloud Almazrouai, Business Development Leader and Mr. Fahad Al-Kaabi, Strategic Analyst of SOHAR Port and Freezone to further discuss opportunities for investment cooperation between the Philippines and Oman.
The discussion builds on the investment opportunities presented during the Oman–Philippines Strategic Majlis, where PEZA Acting Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Emmanuel D. Cortero highlighted the Philippines’ competitive advantages as an investment destination and the strategic role of economic zones in supporting manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy, and other high-value industries.
PEZA Acting Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Emmanuel D. Cortero [right] during the panel discussion at the Oman-Philippines Strategic Majlis last 26 July 2026
PEZA currently hosts 436 economic zones and 4,388 locator companies and projects nationwide, providing investors with an integrated ecosystem supported by infrastructure, streamlined government services, and fiscal and non-fiscal incentives. The Authority also continues to develop new opportunities in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, halal and food production, logistics, and eco-industrial park development.
Meanwhile, the SOHAR Port and Freezone offers a strategic gateway connecting markets across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Located outside the Strait of Hormuz, SOHAR provides access to the Indian Ocean and is positioned as a logistics and industrial hub supported by port facilities, freezone infrastructure, and connections to regional markets.
The delegation highlighted the freezone’s growing industrial ecosystem, which includes investments in metals and minerals, plastics, food, warehousing and logistics, high technology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, petrochemicals, and circular economy activities. The zone is also developing a clean-energy ecosystem covering LNG bunkering, hydrogen, renewable energy, clean fuels, and carbon capture initiatives.
Among the potential areas identified for stronger collaboration are food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and consumer health, plastics and circular economy, and high-tech and electronics.
Further, PEZA and OPAZ are looking into a Joint Promotion Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will strengthen trade between Oman and the Philippines using each other’s Ecozones as platforms for connecting businesses and encouraging greater investment flows.
The engagement likewise complements PEZA’s continuing efforts to attract more international investments and position its ecozones as strategic platforms for global businesses. Under its investment promotion mandate, PEZA supports enterprises in generating investments, exports, employment, and countryside development, while providing a one-stop and non-stop-shop environment designed to facilitate business operations.
PEZA and OPAZ Officials at the PEZA Investment and Corporate Center
“Beyond attracting investments, our goal is to create opportunities that translate into jobs, better livelihoods, and greater economic opportunities for our Filipino people. PEZA welcomes the opportunity to strengthen our engagement with Oman and explore areas where our two countries can complement each other. We look forward to working with OPAZ and its economic zones to identify investment opportunities that can contribute to trade, manufacturing, logistics, and other priority industries”, Director General Panga said.
With the Philippines offering a strategic base for Southeast Asian operations and Oman providing a gateway to the GCC, Middle East, Africa, and surrounding markets, the meeting highlighted the potential for stronger investment corridors and greater participation of businesses from both countries in each other’s markets. #