Makati city: The Board of Investments (BOI) has announced its readiness to facilitate business partnerships with Slovenian firms, highlighting the Philippines' focus on energy resilience as a fundamental aspect of its investment strategy. BOI Executive Director Bobby Fondevilla made this statement during the Science2Business: Energy Resilience for Enhanced Security forum held in Makati City, emphasizing a strong alignment between Slovenia's expertise in sustainable energy infrastructure and the Philippines' needs for disaster preparedness and a secure energy system.
According to Philippines News Agency, Fondevilla expressed the BOI's openness to facilitating joint ventures, technology transfer, and research and development collaborations, particularly with Slovenian firms that offer dual-use technologies and artificial intelligence-enabled crisis management solutions. He expressed optimism for deeper engagement with Slovenian counterparts, European partners, and other stakeholders, aiming for partnerships that create business opportunities while promoting shared security and sustainable growth.
Fondevilla noted that Manila's investment strategy has increasingly focused on projects that combine technology, sustainability, and resilience. Recently, the Philippines joined the United States-led Pax Silica initiative, which aims to establish a 1,600-hectare industrial hub within the Luzon Economic Corridor. This zone is set to become the country's first AI-native industrial acceleration hub, designed to strengthen trusted supply chains in critical sectors such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and electronics.
Slovenian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Dragan Barbutovski also participated in the forum, describing Slovenia as one of the most stable and export-oriented business environments worldwide. Slovenia is currently deeply integrated into global value chains, with exports comprising over 80 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP). In 2025, the country's exports grew by 17 percent, with a significant 32 percent expansion in non-EU markets, showcasing the international competitiveness of Slovenian companies.
