Swedish grant to boost Luzon Economic Corridor project - envoy

October 24 ------ The Swedish government’s grant of $1.3 million for the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas (SCMB) railway project under the Luzon Economic Corridor underscores the strengthened cooperation between Sweden and the Philippines, its ambassador said.

The Swedish Embassy in Manila, in a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 22, cited Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Anna Ferry’s remarks during the official presentation of the signed agreement at the Malacañan Palace. “This additional agreement with the Department of Transportation is a remarkable example of synergies and cooperation between public and private efforts,” she said. “We are proud to support the Philippines’ development goals with Swedish technology and expertise in transportation and provide a boost for sustainable growth and opportunities,” the envoy added.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the embassy announced the support from the Swedish government to the Luzon Economic Corridor through the Swedfund International. The grant will go to a feasibility study on signaling systems and operational models for the SCMB railway, which serves as the anchor infrastructure initiative of the Corridor. The railway will connect the major ports of Subic, Manila, and Batangas, and aims to strengthen logistics and trade across Luzon.

The agreement was signed between the Swedish government through Swedfund International, and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

In his keynote address, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go shared President Marcos’ economic vision. “This partnership between the Philippines and Sweden advances the President’s vision of developing globally competitive logistics infrastructure that will drive investment and inclusive growth,” he said.

The official pointed out how the SCMB Railway is being envisioned to be a “transformative project” to modernize transport of freight, make trade more efficient, and generate jobs in the region. Aside from Go and Ferry, also present during the presentation were Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department Head for Asia, the Pacific and Latin America Daniel Wolvén, Sweden’s Trade Commissioner to the Philippines Johan Lennefalk, DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, and representatives from the Department of Finance (DOF) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

This grant came on the heels of the funding from the US Trade and Development Agency announced in June 2025.

Source: mb.com.ph