Philippines Witnesses 35% Surge in FDI Net Inflow

Foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows into the Philippines totaled $753 million in July 2023, up 35.7 percent from the $555 million reported in the same month last year. The increase in FDI was mostly due to a 108.4% increase in non-residents' net investments in debt instruments, which increased to $575 million from $276 million.

Despite an increase in monthly FDI net inflows, cumulative net inflows for January-July 2023 totaled $4.7 billion, a 14.7% decrease from the $5.5 billion net inflows recorded in the same period last year. FDI has decreased due to fears about a weakening global economy.  The central bank stated that this countered the decrease in nonresidents' net equity capital investments, which fell to $65 million from $137 million.  Their earnings reinvestment decreased by 20.1 percent, from $142 million to $114 million.

Equity capital placements during the month mostly came from Japan, the United States, and Singapore. The BSP said these were invested in the manufacturing, real estate, and financial and insurance industries.