The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) urged visiting Dutch businesses to invest in ecozones across the country.

In a statement Thursday, PEZA said Acting Group Manager Rowena Naguit addressed the visiting Dutch business delegation at The Manila Hotel in an event organized by the Dutch Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 2.

Naguit highlighted the increasing investment potential in ecozones nationwide, which Dutch firms could explore for new growth opportunities and strengthening partnerships between the Netherlands and the Philippines.

She noted that with the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) bill waiting for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s approval, Dutch businesses could enjoy lower corporate income tax rate in the country.

With the Dutch delegation mostly coming from logistics, manufacturing, food hubs and storage, and distribution businesses, the country needs more investments in these areas that would improve the logistics sector that also supports the Marcos administration’s food security goals and reduce food prices for Filipinos, Naguit said.

“To date, PEZA is home to 94 registered Dutch companies/projects, which generated about PHP26.90 billion, generating USD5.71 billion in exports, and creating more than 350,000 direct jobs for Filipinos,” the PEZA said.

During the event, Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary for the E-Commerce Group Mary Jean Pacheco, Maritime Industry Authority OIC Director Precy Jara, Clark International Airport Corp. Department Manager Melissa Feliciano, and Prime Philippines founder and chief executive officer Jet Yu also presented other investment opportunities in the country. (PNA)