In a significant move to bolster economic ties, the Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC) of the Philippines and Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Group Co., Ltd. (CP Group) have entered into a strategic partnership. The agreement, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), was signed in the presence of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace in Manila on February 8, 2025. The MOU was signed by MIC’s president and CEO, Rafael Consing Jr., and CP Group’s chairperson, Soopakij Chearavanont.
This collaboration aims to enhance investments in key areas such as agriculture and food production, digital innovation, and sustainable energy. The partnership is set to modernize the agri-food sector, expand digital and e-commerce capabilities, and promote sustainable energy and infrastructure development. The initiative is expected to strengthen food security, accelerate digital transformation and fintech adoption, and increase the scale of renewable energy and green initiatives across the Philippines.
As part of the agreement, MIC and CP Group plan to establish a private equity fund, targeting to raise up to USD1 billion. This fund will support multi-sectoral investment initiatives aimed at driving long-term economic growth and reinforcing the Philippines’ status as a prime investment destination. A steering committee will oversee project selection, fund structuring, and investor engagement, with the first capital close anticipated within the next nine to twelve months.
The Maharlika Investment Fund, established under Republic Act 11954, serves as the Philippines’ sovereign wealth fund, focusing on generating sustainable long-term returns to support national economic priorities. Meanwhile, CP Group, founded in 1921, is a major multinational conglomerate operating in over 30 countries, with a strong emphasis on agriculture, food production, and retail.
This partnership follows MIC’s recent agreement with Synergy Grid and Development Philippines Inc. to acquire a 20-percent stake in the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, indicating a broader strategy to enhance infrastructure and investment opportunities in the country.