Davao City

Welcome to the city of vast and emerging opportunities- where the city’s abundant resources, competitive workforce and growing economy allow new businesses to flourish and markets to expand extensively.

Do Business

Davao City ensures to take care of you and your business. The strong synergy among the business players and our local leaders continue to bring prosperity and economic abundance, spurring the city’s overall growth and development. Be part of our growing success. Do business in Davao City.

Discover Davao City

Discover the wide range of lucrative markets in the city, made accessible through different access ports and infrastructures that connect the city to over 500 million people in the ASEAN and East Asian economies. Over the years, the city’s robust economy continues to indicate strong performance in trading and investments. With the right mix of business requisites and inputs in Davao City, investors are assured of healthy returns.

4th Most Competitive and Highly Urbanized City

  • Davao City bagged the 4th Most Competitive highly Urbanized City in the 2022 Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI).
  • Davao is the only city outside Metro Manila that has consistently made it on the top 5 of the lists since 2015. This consistent recognition continues to prove Davao city to be highly adept for trade, commerce, investment, and tourism.

Learn More

Davao City
Economic Indicators

Ensure that your business decisions are backed by data with the use of our databanking services and comprehensive economic resources.

Show More

Cost of doing business in Davao City

Enjoy the relatively low rates for rentals, land leases, utilities, and wages in Davao City.

Show More

Investment Areas

AGRIBUSINESS
TECHNOLOGY
LIGHT MANUFACTURING
TOURISM
PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
HEALTH
ECO-INDUSTRY
INCLUSIVE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
EDUCATION
INFRASTRUCTURE

News and Events

Articles & Blogs

𝐊𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝

His Excellency Jarosław Szcepankiewicz, Poland’s Ambassador to the Philippines paid a Courtesy Call to Mayor Sebastian Duterte during the former’s visit to Davao last May 18, 2023. The Polish envoy was also here with Mr. Mark Ryan Juanitas, CEO of OneMark Engineering Technologies, Mr. Bartek Wasiewski, Mr. Miguel Santos and former Davao SPMC Chief Dr. Leopoldo J. Vega, all with the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, as Head, Business Development Manager and Medical Adviser, respectively.

Foremost on the discussion was the opening of a kidney transplant institute in Davao, which will be among the most advanced in the country. Dr. Vega added that the center will offer specialty care to help more patients not just in Davao but also in the Mindanao region as well.

The technologies offered by the Polish government to Davao also include water management solutions (from Polish Companies Symbiona and Nanoseen) where the city can specifically apply into our septage management system. In addition, Smart City Solutions (from Polish companies LUG lighting and Seedia) are also in the offing. On the latter, Mayor Duterte remarked that this is crucial for the city’s transport modernization and digitalization of some services by government offices and departments for the benefit of the Dabawenyos.

During the exchange, Ambassador Szcepankiewicz remarked that Polish technology is approved and promoted around the world and such is not limited to hospitals but also to further boost tourism and other development. There is actually a pending proposal for a Davao City Hospital (from ALVO Medical Solutions and OneMark Engineering) to further benefit the city and nearby regions and localities.

His Excellency Jarosław Szcepankiewicz previously paid a Courtesy Call to Mayor Sebastian Duterte last November 24-26, 2022 when he was also in the city to attend the Polish Film Festival at the Cinematheque Center Davao. As this is his second time to visit, both leaders re-affirmed their commitment for closer Davao-Poland cooperation especially in technology transfer, start-ups and digitalization, hospital technology, construction, as well as research and development.

The Philippines maintains an embassy in Warsaw and honorary consulates in Poznań and Wrocław, while Poland maintains an embassy in Manila. Poland also maintains honorary consulates in San Fernando, Cebu City and General Santos.

𝐄𝐔 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲’𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡, 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬

H.E. Luc Véron, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) delegation to the Philippines paid a courtesy call to Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte last May 17, 2023, in efforts to forge bilateral cooperation and to discuss governance, job creation, renewable energy, and assistance to vulnerable populations, specifically in Mindanao.

The ambassador remarked that the EU's support to Mindanao which has been affected by conflicts and population displacement is in institution-building towards sustaining the ‘peace process’ in BARMM. Moreover, he emphasized on pushing for initiatives towards a ‘circular economy’, remarking that as a developing country with a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, the Philippines is uniquely positioned to leverage the opportunities presented by the circular economy and become a champion in sustainable business practices.

This was supported by Mr. Christoph Wagner, Head of Cooperation Section who said that the EU is willing to invest in technology for reducing plastic waste and WTE or waste to energy.

Mayor Duterte welcomed the offer and said this could be very helpful, especially in the government's efforts in solid waste management.

Apart from renewable energy, Ambassador Véron expressed interest in the city’s food security program and agricultural products, particularly Davao’s cacao. “There is great interest as we will try to help how farmers can move up the value chain from their raw up to the final products”.

The envoy, who is visiting Davao City for the first time,will be attending the Mindanao Development Forum. He was also accompanied by Mr. Philip Dupuis, Head of Trade Section of the EU delegation.

The EU remains one the biggest foreign development partners in support of Mindanao and ranked as the Philippines' fourth largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) in 2019. Top products traded between the EU and the Philippines are dominated by machinery, telecommunication and transport equipment, chemicals, food products and electronic components.

𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐣𝐚𝐲𝐚, 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐚

Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte was inspired by the best practices of the Putrajaya City Government, particularly by its One Government Center and the Putrajaya Command Centre during his visit to Malaysia and envisions to establish the same in Davao City.

The mayor mentioed this during his courtesy meeting with Putrajaya Corporation President Honorable TPr. Fadlun bin Mak Ujud last May 12, 2023 in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

The Putrajaya Government Center in Putrajaya, Malaysia is home to several official buildings including the prime minister's office, the Putrajaya International Convention Center (PICC), the Putrajya Command Centre and under key offices. While Kuala Lumpur remains to be Malaysia’s capital and premier financial and commercial center, Putrajaya is created as the new Federal Government Administrative Center.

The seat of the Federal Government administration was shifted from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya in 1999. The city was planned as a Garden and Intelligent city. The City master plan incorporated a network of open spaces and wide boulevards, creating a modern yet fresh look for the Federal Administrative Capital.

Similar to the establishment of Putrajaya to decongest Kuala Lumpur, Mayor Duterte envisions establishing one government center away from the city proper that will host all government offices. This will greatly decongest the Davao City proper in terms of government transactions.

The mayor further envisions making the Davao One Government Center to be Smart and Green, which means it will employ the use of modern technology and be environmentally friendly at the same time. There will be considerable improvement in local government services and functions by using modern technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) in answer to various challenges including traffic management, flood mitigation, urban developments, and in maintaining peace and order.

Mayor Duterte was invited and led a delegation to Putrajaya composed of government officials to promote Davao’s Tourism and Investment, and to establish stronger relationship with the Philippine’s neighboring countries for the benefit of the city and the Dabawenyos.

Consul Ahmadulkuddus bin Husain of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Davao City facilitated the said visit in coordination with the Davao City Investment Promotion Center.

Together with the mayor are city officials including Assistant City Administrator Atty. Tristan Dwight P. Domingo, Chief of Staff Mr. Vince Jul Malicay, and Davao City Investment Promotion Center OIC Ms. April Marie C. Dayap. Also included are representatives from Davao’s business sector, Mr. Andre F. Bucu and Mr. Gabriel Nakan.

Among other things discussed during the meeting is the establishment of a two-way relationship between Davao City and Putrjaya. This discussion holds the potential for stronger trade and tourism relations with Putrajaya and Malaysia as a whole that can greatly benefit the city’s local economy.

Mayor Duterte and the Davao City delegation also had a tour of the Putrajaya Command Centre that serves as integrated operation centre that monitors the city safety, security, traffic flow, IT infrastructures and environmental sensors 24/7. Established since 2004, the Centre has been upgraded with the latest technologies in August 2018.

The Centre also linked to mini command centre located at Putrajaya District Police Headquater using fiber optic connection to ensure the whole system is running smoothly. Perbadanan Putrajaya is implementing a new connection to Putrajaya District Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia Station, Putrajaya Civil Defence Force and Putrajaya Hospital.

Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj) or Putrajaya Corporation (PjC) is a local authority that administers the Federal Territory of Putrajaya and is under the Federal Territories Ministry of Malaysia. Founded in 1995, the corporation is responsible for public health and sanitation, waste removal and management, capital planning, environmental protection and building control, social and economic development, general maintenance functions of the urban infrastructure of Putrajaya.

During the Malaysia visit, Mayor Duterte also met with the Director General of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Datuk Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir to discuss strengthening trade relations between Malaysia and Davao City.

In Partnership with