Singapore-based Universal Success Enterprises Limited (USEL) is exploring investments in Philippine data centers and logistics parks as the government promotes the country as a regional digital infrastructure hub amid questions surrounding its proposed Pax Silica initiative.
The potential investment was discussed during a meeting between Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) secretary Cristina Roque and USEL founder and chairman Prasoon Mukherjee on the sidelines of the Singapore Business Federation Asean Conference in Singapore.
USEL is reportedly exploring partnerships with Philippine companies, including the PLDT Group, to participate in the country’s expanding data center industry. No investment amount, project location, capacity, or timetable was disclosed.
The talks come as the Marcos administration faces calls for greater transparency and an independent assessment of Pax Silica, a proposed industrial hub linked to artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, logistics, and other high-value technology sectors.
Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presented Pax Silica during his State of the Nation Address as part of the Luzon Economic Corridor. The project has been touted as potentially attracting as much as $70 billion in investments and creating about 190,000 direct jobs, although details about its financing, environmental impact, energy requirements, and implementation arrangements remain limited.
Large-scale data centers are critical to AI development but require substantial electricity, water, connectivity, and land resources. These requirements have placed the adequacy and sustainability of Philippine infrastructure at the center of discussions over the government’s AI and advanced manufacturing ambitions.
Roque said the government would present USEL with investment locations and incentives administered by agencies such as the Board of Investments, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Clark Development Corp., and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
“With our upgraded incentive regimes under the CREATE MORE Act and a rapidly expanding digital economy, the Philippines is fully equipped to support global developers like USEL. Beyond the Board of Investments, we want to present the full landscape of our ecozones across the entire Philippine government — whether under PEZA, CDC, SBMA, or other investment promotion agencies,” Roque said.
“As a government, our role is to showcase every strategic location available so investors can choose the setup that best fits their growth model. The DTI and PTIC-Singapore stand ready to facilitate these connections and ensure a smooth, end-to-end investment journey,” she added.
DTI said the Philippine data center market could reach $2.48 billion by 2031, but it did not identify the source of the projection.
USEL previously operated the Philippine master franchise for Outback Steakhouse from 2010 to 2022. The company is now shifting its attention toward large-scale infrastructure projects in India and Southeast Asia.
In a separate meeting with the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Roque also promoted the Philippines as a production base for semiconductors, aerospace products, food, and other higher-value goods.
Singapore logistics company YCH Group disclosed plans to invest in “superport” and “super park” facilities using artificial intelligence tools, although it likewise provided no investment value or implementation schedule.
