7 more countries join Luzon corridor pact
There are now 10 countries participating in the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) partnership after the Philippines, the United States and Japan on Monday brought in seven more partners to support the development of the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas growth belt.
Australia, Denmark, France, Italy, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom are the latest countries to enter the LEC fray, which was formed in 2024 to expand transport, energy, digital connectivity and manufacturing infrastructure across western Luzon, said the statement from the office of Finance Secretary Frederick Go.
Among these new entrants, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia and Sweden had already been studying possible participation in the corridor since late 2024.
“The expansion of the LEC partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration among likeminded nations committed to transparency and shared prosperity,” said Go, who cochairs the LEC Steering Committee.
With their entry, the seven countries also pledged financing and technical support for projects tied to the corridor.
Among the largest commitments announced was from the United Kingdom, which said it would deploy up to P411 billion in export financing alongside technical assistance and investment mobilization for infrastructure and energy projects under the corridor.
South Korea, meanwhile, pledged support for transport and digital infrastructure projects through official development assistance (ODA) and public-private partnerships. This includes a P1.5-billion grant for the planned National Cyber Security Center and the modernization of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
France said it would finance 100 bridges through ODA and invest in an aeronautics project.
Italy committed to increase public financial support to encourage private sector investments from Italian firms across transport, semiconductor and manufacturing projects tied to the corridor.
Australia said it would channel investments through its Manila Deal Team and infrastructure partnership programs, alongside a separate P1.9-billion partnership with the Philippines focused on inclusive economic growth.
Denmark said its participation would focus on reviving the Philippine shipbuilding industry and advancing green maritime technologies, with projects aimed at generating 10,000 jobs.
Sweden, for its part, committed a P74-million grant to fund feasibility studies for signaling systems and operational models for the proposed Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas freight railway.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya said he expects the expanded partnership to bring more quality infrastructure investments into the country and strengthen economic ties across the Indo-Pacific.
“This expanded partnership reflects our shared vision for quality infrastructure development that respects transparency, sustainability, and the rule of law,” Kazuya said.
For her part, Ambassador Heather Variava, a US senior advisor for economic, energy and business affairs, said the partnership would also counter “exploitative infrastructure practices with a better alternative.”
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