The Philippines has been chosen as an export hub for a multi-billion-peso manufacturing investment after besting 30 other countries vying for this huge project, which is going to employ thousands of workers.

Trade and Industry Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Elmer C. Hernandez refused to identify the investor saying the company has requested anonymity until after it has formally informed the other countries of its decision after which the investor is going to make the formal announcement with President Gloria Arroyo in Malacañang.

“It is a done deal. This is a multi-billion investment that will employ thousands of workers and at the same time their suppliers are expected to follow them here,” Hernandez said.

The company has only two requirements for their investments: proximity to an international port to facilitate their exports and security.

Hernandez said the company is a big player in the manufacturing world and has major operations in other countries but it is their first time to be in the Philippines.

Hernandez noted that it was a blessing that the company’s top ranking officials composed of chief financial officer level and senior management were here for two weeks already and experienced the wrath of typhoon Ondoy otherwise they would be hearing and reading only the bad press against the Philippines that would be coming out from the competing countries that could have swayed their decision.

“No, these series of calamities that we are experiencing have no impact at all with the flow of investments in the country,” Hernandez said.

According to Hernandez, the investor told him that typhoons and other weather disturbances have no impact on their investment decision because their project is something that the Philippines can really host.