The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Philippines is on the right track in its bid to become a regional logistics hub, according to FedEx Airline and International President and CEO Richard Smith, as the global logistics giant continues to expand its operations in the country.
“The Philippines is doing everything right,” Smith said during a meet and greet with Marcos Jr. in Singapore on Thursday, on the sidelines of the President’s participation in the Forbes Global CEO Conference.
FedEx officials thanked Marcos and the Philippine government for their support as they discussed the company’s rapid growth in the country, with operations now reaching close to 40 flights a week.
The company operates two major facilities in the Philippines — the Clark Gateway Hub in Pampanga and the Manila Gateway at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City.
At the center of FedEx’s expansion is its Clark facility, which opened in 2021 as a 17,000-square-meter gateway serving as a key clearing and routing hub for international air freight.
FedEx broke ground in May 2026 on an expansion that will increase the facility’s footprint to more than 78,000 square meters, more than four times its original size.
The expanded hub is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2028 and will boost sorting, package handling and specialized freight capabilities.
The expansion is also expected to strengthen the ability of Philippine businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to reach international markets as cross-border trade and e-commerce continue to grow.
FedEx has said the expanded Clark gateway will support express, e-commerce and freight shipments while strengthening regional connectivity.
Smith said FedEx could need to expand the facility again soon if the company’s current growth trajectory continues.
Beyond package handling, FedEx also operates an Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Center in Clark, which handles administrative work, customs clearance documentation, data management and other trade-related services for key markets in the region.