7 PH firms to seal deals with Korean partners
Seven Philippine companies and government agencies sealed new partnerships with South Korean firms across industries like energy, aerospace and health care, during the state visit of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to Manila.
These agreements add to the 10 government-to-government deals the Philippines and South Korea earlier finalized.
“The Philippines is ready to move up the value chain,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said. “With Korea as a strategic partner, we are opening new frontiers … ensuring that our industries become more competitive and future-ready.”
Among the deals signed on Wednesday was a cooperation framework involving Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and the Export-Import Bank of Korea.
Under their agreement, the three partners will explore collaboration on nuclear energy development in the Philippines. These include power plant design, engineering support and possible financing for future Korean-led projects.
In health care, Belo Medical Group partnered with Korean wellness technology firm Ceragem to explore the introduction of premium wellness devices through clinic-based distribution in the Philippines.
Innomedics Trading Corp. also expanded its partnership with Korean medical aesthetics firm Jetema to distribute dermal filler products locally. Philippine regulatory approval is expected by March 2026.
In retail, S&R Membership Shopping and Samyang Foods Inc. agreed to expand their commercial partnership to sustain and widen the supply of Korean food products in the Philippine market.
Shipbuilding, aerospace
On workforce development, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority signed an agreement with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to develop training programs in shipbuilding technologies to strengthen maritime and industrial skills.
The Philippine Space Agency, together with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, partnered with Perigee Aerospace to support training and cooperation for the assembly, testing and experimental launch of a sounding rocket.
In the mining sector, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau signed a follow-up agreement with the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corp. to strengthen cooperation on mine rehabilitation and critical mineral supply chains.
Additionally, Manila and Seoul signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation on intellectual property and innovation.
This new framework upgrades a 2022 pact between the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines and South Korea’s Ministry of Intellectual Property.
