ABOITIZ INFRACAPITAL IN JAPAN. Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) President and CEO Cosette V. Canilao (6th from left) and AIC Airports Chief Airline Marketing Officer Mark Souter (2nd from right) joined Philippine government officials and executives from leading Japanese corporations during a high-level business engagement in Tokyo last May 27 led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. The discussions explored opportunities for deeper collaboration across infrastructure, aviation, tourism, and investment, supporting efforts to strengthen economic ties between the Philippines and Japan.
Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, is poised to unlock potential investment and partnership opportunities in Japan following its recent participation in a high-level, government-led business engagement there.
Representing AIC, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cosette V. Canilao joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Trade and Industry Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Tourism Secretary Bernardita Angara-Mathay, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, and senior executives from 23 leading Japanese companies for a roundtable at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo last May 27.
“Japan has long been one of the Philippines’ most valued economic partners and a key source of investment, innovation, and expertise for our country. Engaging directly with Japanese business leaders allows us at Aboitiz InfraCapital to deepen existing relationships and explore new opportunities that can support the continued growth of our airports, water, and digital infrastructure businesses while contributing to the country’s broader development goals,” said Canilao, who was also joined by AIC Airports Chief Airline Marketing Officer Mark Souter.
The engagement provided a platform for AIC to strengthen relationships, exchange insights, and explore areas for collaboration across infrastructure, tourism, aviation, finance, and other growth sectors.
Joining the roundtable were CEOs from prominent Japanese businesses, including All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, JTB Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui & Co., Marubeni Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, and leading financial institutions such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group.
“The participation in this room of Japan’s most respected industry leaders—representing trading houses, financial institutions, manufacturing champions, technology firms, and service groups—speaks for itself. It is not just attendance. It is confidence—confidence in the Philippine economy today, and even more importantly, confidence in what the Philippines can become,” President Marcos, Jr. said in his remarks at the roundtable meeting.
As the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, AIC continues to expand its portfolio across airports, water and wastewater, and digital infrastructure.
Through its Airports business, AIC is the largest airport operator outside Manila, with Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Laguindingan International Airport, and Bohol-Panglao International Airport serving as critical gateways that support tourism, trade, and economic activity across the country.
This Tokyo engagement reflects AIC’s commitment to building strategic partnerships that create long-term value for its stakeholders while supporting national efforts to attract investments, improve connectivity, and drive sustainable economic growth.