Kazan: The Philippines is positioning itself as a regional logistics hub, given its strategic geographic location in Asia and with ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity and attract investments, according to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. In an interview with Russia Today during his working visit to Kazan, Russia, Marcos noted that Manila sits at the center of major Asian capitals, making it an ideal transshipment and distribution point for regional trade.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized that the Philippines' geographical location naturally positions it as a logistics hub. "It's a natural for the Philippines to be that hub. Our geographical location puts us literally in the center. Manila is four hours or less flight away from every single major Asian capital," Marcos stated. He further explained that this geographic advantage is a key component of the country's economic planning.
Marcos elaborated on the Philippine government's initiatives to align economic policies in order to capitalize on this geographical advantage. These initiatives include reforms in investment incentives, taxation, and regulatory frameworks aimed at enhancing the country's appeal to foreign investors. "We've changed some of our tax structures. We've encouraged certain aspects of that investment atmosphere. And we have tried to make the Philippines a more attractive investment destination," he added.
The President reported that these efforts are beginning to bear fruit, with significant interest from non-traditional partners, including emerging engagements with countries like Russia, alongside long-standing trading partners such as the United States, Japan, and Europe. He highlighted that positioning the Philippines as a logistics hub could bolster broader regional supply chain development within ASEAN and the wider Indo-Pacific.
"It is one of the plans that we have for our own country. And we try to incorporate it into the plans of ASEAN as we try to develop those supply chains, we try to develop an interdependency between member states, not only within ASEAN, but of course now we talk about Asia and the Indo-Pacific region," Marcos concluded.
