SEOUL, South Korea — “The Philippines is open for business, and we are committed, aligned, and prepared to grow with our partners,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque emphasized during her engagements with Lotte GRS and other leading South Korean conglomerates on May 16.
The engagements focused on the conglomerates’ planned investments and expansion into the Philippine market, particularly in the areas of food service, franchising, and retail modernization. These high-level engagements support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s economic agenda to position the Philippines as a strategic hub for regional and global trade, while driving inclusive growth and job creation.
Secretary Roque expressed appreciation for the continued confidence of the South Korean firms in the Philippine market, while underscoring the country’s young, and dynamic population of over 115 million. She also highlighted the country’s strategic position in ASEAN, while trumpeting the government’s efforts to foster a competitive and investor friendly business environment.
“With the CREATE MORE law in place, our partners enjoy one of the most competitive and forward-looking incentive systems today— through smarter incentives, streamlined processes, and a vibrant consumer base ready for innovation,” Secretary Roque said.
Central to the discussion were the South Korean firms’ plans to leverage their operational expertise and advanced retail models to contribute to the Philippines’ economic growth. These companies aim to invest in joint ventures, master franchise agreements, and localized operations that will generate employment, strengthen supply chains, and modernize retail distribution in the country, progressing beyond exporting their brands.
In particular, Lotte GRS, the restaurant service arm of the Lotte Group, is preparing to launch its flagship brand “Lotteria,” targeting at least 30 store openings across five years. This initiative has strong focus on local sourcing and workforce development.
Other firms outlined plans to introduce modern convenience store formats tailored to the urban Filipino lifestyle, building on their success in markets such as Vietnam and Mongolia through partnerships with local operators. The companies underlined their commitment to local sourcing, with over 95% of the products offered in their overseas stores sourced within the host country. These include fresh items such as fruits, vegetables, sandwiches, and salads.
The discussions also covered initiatives to integrate digital commerce platforms and strengthen last-mile delivery services, enabling technology-driven retail experiences in the Philippines.
In addition to food service and retail ventures, South Korean firms are also exploring opportunities in restaurant expansion and import-export channels for Philippine agricultural and seafood products. One company, which recently signed a partnership with a Philippine firm, is set to open its first store in Manila by August 2025.
Secretary Roque was joined in the meetings by Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and Commercial Counsellor Charmaine Mignon S. Yalong of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, who both reiterated the government’s support to the Korean firms in realizing their investments plans.
To further explore sourcing and collaboration opportunities, the South Korean firms are also scheduled to participate in local trade expos such as IFEX Philippines and the World Food Expo.
The DTI remains steadfast in enabling high-impact and sustainable investments that uplift Filipino communities and advance the country’s economic transformation. As the Philippines continues to attract world-class partners, the DTI continues to work towards supporting foreign investors through services such as partner matchmaking, regulatory assistance, and investment facilitation.
