Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has lauded Mitsubishi Corp.’s investment of $700 million in energy firm Ayala Corp as among the largest foreign equity investments in the Philippines in recent years.

In a statement on Sunday, the president office said the investment reflects the growing interest in the Philippines and would help bring in capital, technology, and jobs.

Mitsubishi, a Japanese trading and investment house, said in September that it signed a agreement to lift its economic ownership of Ayala from 4.7 percent to 15 percent, with its voting interest rising to 20 percent.

The transaction is set for completion within Mitsubishi’s fiscal year ending March 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.

Ayala said it would use the money to cut debt, buy back shares in the parent and its listed units, and fund growth. Mitsubishi will take two seats on an expanded nine-member Ayala board.

The two sides have been partners since 1974. Mitsubishi once held about 20 percent of Ayala before trimming its stake over the years. The companies deepened ties in 2024 through a comprehensive alliance and a joint venture linked to the mobile-wallet operator Mynt, parent of GCash.

The expanded alliance targets financial services, telecommunications, retail, real estate, energy, digital technology, mobility and logistics, they said.

Besides, the president highlighted planned expansions by FedEx, at its Clark hub in Pampanga, and by the energy developer Vena Energy, tying them to the government’s push to attract higher-value industries.

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