MANILA :Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath visited the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Misamis
Oriental on 25 July 2026 during his visit to Mindanao region in the Philippines. The visit
was undertaken to reaffirm Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation
with the Philippines and to witness firsthand the progress of Sri Lankan investments in the
country made by Haycarb. He was accompanied by Ambassador of Sri Lanka Dr. Chanaka
Talpahewa, Attaché/Consular Officer of the Sri Lankan Embassy Chaturi Kalpana, Sri
Lanka’s Honorary Consul in Mindanao William Chen.
The visit comes during the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between Sri Lanka and the Philippines, a year that has also witnessed the first-ever Sri
Lankan investments in the Philippines.
Minister and the delegation were welcomed by Atty. Joseph Bernedo Joesph, Administrator
of PHIVIDEC, Atty. Nadya Emanao-Filipe, the Mayor of Tagaloan, Ellen Kionisala of
Board of Investment, senior government and local officials, staff of PHIVIDEC,
representatives of Haycarb and Jaindi Exports and the delegation was briefed on the
facilities and services offered by the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate, one of the Philippines’
premier industrial estates and the investments being done by the two Sri Lankan companies.
Discussions also focused on opportunities to further expand investment, trade and
commercial cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking during the visit, the Minister said: “The Government of Sri Lanka attaches great
importance to supporting and protecting the investments made by Sri Lankan companies overseas. This
visit has given us the opportunity to see firsthand the excellent facilities and investor-friendly
environment at the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate. We hope this will encourage many more Sri Lankan
businesses to explore investment opportunities in the Philippines and contribute to even stronger
economic ties between our two countries.”
The delegation welcomed the progress of Haycarb PLC, whose activated carbon
manufacturing facility is currently under construction at the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate.
Although it had been planned to commence operations of the factory this year as a part of
commemorating activities of the landmark year marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic
relations, construction has experienced delays due to the prevailing global economic
situation. Once completed, the facility will represent the first Sri Lankan manufacturing
investment in the Philippines and an important milestone in bilateral economic relations.
The delegation also welcomed the progress made by Jaindi Exports, whose investment
project is currently in its final stages of approval and is expected to commence construction
this year and establish its operations within the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate. The decision
by a second Sri Lankan company to invest in the estate reflects growing confidence in the
Philippines as an investment destination and demonstrates the attractiveness of PHIVIDEC
as a location for international investors
