France eyes joining Luzon Economic Corridor

By Kris Crismundo, Philippine News Agency

FIRST VISIT. French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin marks his first official visit to Manila meeting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and some of his Cabinet members in Malacañang on Friday (April 11, 2025). Saint-Martin also held a press conference at the French Ambassador Residences in Forbes Park, Makati City. (PNA photo by Kris M. Crismundo)

MANILA – France is interested in joining the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), its visiting Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad Laurent Saint-Martin told reporters Friday.

In a press conference in Makati City, Saint-Martin said he conveyed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during their meeting at the Malacañan Palace on Thursday the French government’s interest to participate in the LEC.

“Sure, sure. That is what I also told to the President,” Saint-Martin answered when asked about France’s interest to join the Corridor.

The LEC is an offshoot of the trilateral meeting among the Philippines, Japan, and the United States in April 2024.

The Corridor aims to establish connectivity hubs in Luzon, with a flagship project of connecting Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas through a cargo railway.

In a meeting with Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Saint-Martin said the French government is ready to support new projects and consider strategic financing for projects like the LEC.

France is a new addition to countries that expressed their interest to invest in the LEC.

Earlier, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go said the United Kingdom, Sweden, South Korea, and Australia have signified their intent to join the LEC.