Daven Tamayo

Swedish businesses in PH eye expansion in next 12 months—survey

Visitors and guests enjoy the IKEA Cooking and Eating ‘Feastival’ as many Christmas themed home offerings were presented at the IKEA store at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City on November 6, 2025. Dubbed ‘Flavors of Home: Beyond the Table Workshops” the event featured a Kitchen System Promotion, which is part of its year-long global campaign dedicated to helping make cooking and eating at home more enjoyable and accessible. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

CHRISTMAS - Falvors of Home

Arthur Fuentes

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Two-thirds of Swedish companies operating in the Philippines plan to expand their investments over the next 12 months, according to a survey published on Tuesday, signaling robust confidence despite concerns over infrastructure gaps and regulatory corruption.The Business Climate Survey, jointly conducted by the Swedish Embassy in Manila and Business Sweden, showed that 80 percent of the 38 firms surveyed expect higher turnover this year, underpinned by a high economic growth trajectory and a large, young consumer base.“Our companies have a major role in enhancing the bilateral relations between Sweden and the Philippines. They are key partners in job creation and building a secure, resilient, and prosperous economy,” Anna Ferry, Sweden&#x27;s Ambassador to the Philippines, said in a statement.Investors identified the Philippine work culture and access to qualified local business partners as their top operational advantages.However, firms expressed a more cautious outlook on the overall business environment compared to previous years, pointing to regulatory inefficiencies and inadequate infrastructure.The report noted that while direct exposure to bribery remains limited, a high-profile 2025 corruption scandal involving local public infrastructure projects has weighed on broader investor sentiment. Respondents flagged digitalization and ease-of-doing-business reforms as critical priorities to bolster national competitiveness.The corporate footprint of nearly 70 Swedish firms in the Southeast Asian nation spans key sectors including retail, defense, IT-BPO, and energy, with competitive advantages heavily driven by cost-efficiency and the reputation of the Swedish brand.One of the most recognizable Swedish companies in the Philippines is IKEA, which operates its largest store in the world in Pasay City.

Two-thirds of Swedish companies operating in the Philippines plan to expand their investments over the next 12 months, according to a survey.

Two-thirds of Swedish companies operating in the Philippines plan to expand their investments over the next 12 months, according to a survey.