In pre-colonial Philippines, Sugbo took advantage of its coastal location and developed into a key trading destination in Southeast Asia. To this day, this once independent polity continues to be a thriving commercial hub. Only now it’s called Cebu City. 

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an established company looking to expand in the Philippines, the Queen City of the South offers an ideal base of operations. 

Here are six compelling reasons why you should register your business in Cebu City.

1. Strategic location in Central Philippines

Cebu City’s location in the Visayas group of islands is a big reason why it has always been a linchpin of Philippine economic growth.

It’s situated in the middle of Cebu Island, facing the eponymous strait and the small island of Mactan. Billions of pesos worth of trade passes through this commercial zone—a major economic driver in the Visayas-Mindanao region. 

Traveling to and from Cebu City is made even more convenient thanks to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. From here, there are direct flights to many major cities in the world such as Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Dubai, Sydney, and more.

What’s more, a business move to Cebu City can help disperse development and decongest Metro Manila. For entrepreneurs and companies looking beyond the National Capital Region, Cebu City offers a prestigious business address. 

2. Robust local economy

In 2022, Cebu City had a 1.45% share of national gross domestic product—the second largest among highly urbanized cities outside Metro Manila, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.  

And thanks in large part to Cebu City commerce, Central Visayas was the Philippines’ fastest growing region in 2023. Economic analysts expect a similar trend to play out by the end of 2024. 

The city’s booming sectors include information technology and business processing management (IT-BPM), wholesale/retail trade, manufacturing, tourism, and financial and insurance activities.

3. Business-friendly environment 

With a top-performing economy, Cebu City is an ideal environment for foreign investors to grow and diversify their portfolios. Business-friendly districts approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) offer overseas firms an array of economic incentives. 

These PEZA-accredited economic zones and buildings can be found in Cebu Business Park, Cebu IT Park, Cebu Light Industrial Park, GAGFA IT Tower, and more.

Fiscal and non-fiscal incentives include, but are not limited to: tax exemptions, simplified import/export procedures, special investor visas, and long-term land leases.

These perks add up over the long run, helping companies offset upfront investment costs and cut down on operational expenses.

4. High quality talent pool

While businesses in Cebu City can tap into the Philippines’ larger talent pool, there’s rarely a need to look far. The city has a highly skilled English-speaking workforce. 

With tens of thousands of college graduates every year, Cebu City can provide companies with top talent in the fields of engineering, IT and computer science, accounting, business management, health science, and hospitality/tourism. 

These graduates come from prestigious local institutions, such as University of San Carlos, Cebu Institute of Technology, University of the Philippines Cebu, and University of San Jose. 

5. Vibrant lifestyle districts

You work hard and play hard in Cebu City. From boutique restaurants and world-class hotels to luxury shopping and rejuvenating green spaces, there’s plenty of ways to pursue your preferred lifestyle.

Here’s what to expect:

• Cebu Business Park: Known for the sprawling Ayala Center Cebu, a must-visit shopping mall replete with luxury brands and top-tier dining options. Business travelers, avid shoppers, and families frequent the area. 
• Cebu IT Park: Known for its diverse gastronomic offerings and outdoor leisure. You’ll discover a healthy variety of trendy bars and restaurants, as well as weekend markets and food fairs. Professionals, foodies, and fitness buffs frequent the area.  
• Banilad Town Centre (BTC): All the essentials are within reach in BTC, whether it’s no-frills casual dining, well-stocked groceries, or family-friendly attractions. 
• Crossroads Cebu: An excellent selection of boutique stores and classy haunts await in this boutique district. You’ll find a mix of hip locals, young professionals, and adventure-seeking tourists in this area.

6. Tourism hotspot

This blog post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the variety of tourist attractions in the city of Cebu, as well as in the larger island of Cebu.

Here are a few recommendations when you find yourself in Cebu:

• Magellan’s Cross in Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
• Fort San Pedro, the oldest military fort in the country 
• Oslob Whale Shark Watching
• Paradise Beach in Bantayan Island
• Kawasan Falls for canyoneering
• The popular Sinulog Festival (held every January)

Do business in Cebu City with Loft 

From our location on the 20th floor of Ayala Center Cebu Tower, we offer a comprehensive suite of business services. 

Whether it’s a prime virtual office address, end-to-end business registration assistance, or corporate compliance, we take care of the grunt work of running your company—so you can focus on growing your business. 

Planning to do business in Cebu? Complete the form below to quickly set up or expand your company.

Contact Us