THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) are looking at potential partnerships in food manufacturing and electronics in their respective ecozones.
In a statement on Tuesday, PEZA said both parties are exploring the possibility of a joint memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will strengthen trade between the Philippines and Oman through their ecozones.
Potential areas for collaboration include food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and consumer health, plastics and the circular economy, and high technology and electronics, PEZA said.
“The meeting highlighted the potential for stronger investment corridors and greater participation of businesses from both countries in each other’s markets,” PEZA noted, after a July 26 meeting with OPAZ officials in Makati City.
Oman provides the Philippines a gateway to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Middle East, and Africa.
OPAZ’s delegation included representatives from SOHAR Port and Freezone, located just outside the Strait of Hormuz.
SOHAR provides access to the Indian Ocean and is seen as a gateway to markets across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the GCC.
OPAZ is positioned as a logistics and industrial hub supported by port facilities, freezone infrastructure, and connections to regional markets.
The Oman delegation noted that the zone is also developing a clean-energy ecosystem covering LNG (liquefied natural gas) bunkering, hydrogen, renewable energy, clean fuels, and carbon capture initiatives.
“We look forward to working with OPAZ and its economic zones to identify investment opportunities that can contribute to trade, manufacturing, logistics, and other priority industries,” PEZA Director-General Tereso O. Panga said.
PEZA currently hosts 436 ecozones and 4,388 locator companies and projects, operating within an ecosystem of infrastructure, streamlined government services, and fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.
PEZA is looking to attract locators in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, halal and food production, logistics, and eco-industrial park development.
Bilateral trade between the Philippines and Oman hit $250 million in 2025. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
