THE Philippine consulate general in Hong Kong encouraged foreign-owned digital technology and electronic startups to establish themselves in the Philippines as part of the "Make It Happen" initiative.

This invitation was made during the Hong Kong Electronics Fair 2024, which took place from Oct. 13 to 16 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. The Philippines boasts over 400 world-class economic zones (ecozones) capable of supporting these businesses. These ecozones are administered by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

The Consulate's Booth in the Startup zone offered an opportunity to draw special attention to what the Philippines can provide foreign startups, mainly through informational brochures and materials highlighting opportunities and incentives available to locators in Philippine ecozones and their respective administrators.

The Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corp.'s Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental Special Economic Zone, with its new vision of a more progressive and ecologically sustainable industrial community, is encouraging clean industries, particularly those within the electronic sector, to locate on the remaining available land within its 3,000-hectare estate.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority offers a holistic investor experience, which enables foreign investors to mix work with leisure due to its proximity to Clark International Airport and indulge in the tourism opportunities.

The Consulate's Booth also displayed a comprehensive audiovisual presentation from PEZA that highlighted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s push toward enhancing the Philippines' role as a global investment destination through ecozones and general information brochures (in English and Mandarin) on investing in the Philippines from the Philippine Board of Investments.

Inquiries on tourism and visa matters were also answered with the help of the Department of Tourism's online tourism platform and the Consulate's Visa Section, respectively.

Meanwhile, Euro CB Philippines, an electronics manufacturer based in Mactan Export Processing Zone in Cebu, also participated as a returning exhibitor. During the fair, Euro CB showcased its products "Sleddo," a hands-free kit for skiers that may be used with ski gloves; and "Roamee," a hands-free kit for bikers that allows instant installation on a bike helmet.

The Hong Kong Electronics Fair was organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. It is dubbed the "World's Leading Electronics Marketplace," which showcased cutting-edge products and innovative ideas and solutions to global buyers from over 3,000 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions worldwide. The four-day event ran concurrently with electronicAsia, attracting over 60,000 industry buyers from 136 countries and territories.