FFCCCII hosts Asean Business Summit to boost trade, investments, tourism

WITH the Philippines hosting the Association of Southeast Asian (Asean) Summit, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) convened prominent ethnic Chinese business leaders and entrepreneurs from across Southeast Asia for the 2nd Asean-Chinese Business Leaders Summit and Asean-Chinese Business Forum 2026 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City, on Monday. 

Carrying the theme “Leading Asean Forward: Innovation, Resilience, and Regional Collaboration,” the gathering aimed to strengthen commercial ties, open markets for Filipino enterprises, attract productive investments and promote the Philippines as a destination for tourism, business expansion and regional partnerships.

It focused on opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, services, logistics, digital transformation and tourism as trade patterns and supply chains evolve.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian was the featured speaker. 

Other speakers and participants included Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Asean Business Advisory Council Chairman Jose Ma. Concepcion III,  Department of Trade and Industry  Undersecretary for Data Analysis and Knowledge Management Verna Esmeralda Buenasuceso, Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC Chairman  Rogelio Quevedo and OfficeMate Group Global President and CEO Ernesto Tan Mantiong. 

Also featured were Michelangelo Samson, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank-Philippine branch; George Barcelon, council member of the Asean Business Advisory Council and council member of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines; Justin Uy, chairman and president of Profoods; Dato’ Jeffrey Lai Jiun Jye, vice president of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia and managing director of Kuopacific Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.; Chia Kim Huat, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Kyaw Win Aung, vice president of the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Diamond Dragon Co. Ltd.

Their participation connected government, finance, agriculture, industry and regional business networks to identify opportunities for trade, investment, and economic cooperation.

Opening opportunities for Philippine enterprises

FFCCCII, led by President Victor Lim, promotes the Philippines as a destination for investment, trade and tourism.

The country offers opportunities in electronics, food processing, agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, digital services, and tourism, while Filipino small and medium-sized enterprises can gain access to Asean regional customers, distribution networks, technology, and partnerships.

The summit provided a venue to explore joint ventures, exchange market intelligence, identify complementary industries and build relationships beyond the conference.

The country’s human talent, entrepreneurial spirit, natural resources and strategic location offer investors access to skilled workers, regional markets, and promising industries.

Turning these Philippine advantages into productive enterprises and quality jobs, however, requires continued improvements in infrastructure, affordable and reliable electricity, logistics, workforce development and a predictable, transparent business environment.

FFCCCII seeks to encourage practical cooperation between Philippine enterprises and Asean entrepreneurs to promote national development priorities and mutually beneficial commercial interests.

Investments should ideally bring not only capital, but also technology, expertise, higher productivity, stronger local supply chains and opportunities for Philippine businesses to grow.

Tourism, regional cooperation

Tourism offers another avenue for Philippines and Asean cooperation, combining business opportunities with cultural exchange and community development.

The Philippines’ beaches, islands, natural wonders, historic districts, cuisine and Filipino hospitality can attract more Southeast Asian travelers, business visitors, investors and conference delegates.

Partnerships among tourism enterprises could support joint promotions, improved connectivity, heritage and culinary tours, medical and wellness tourism, and business travel.

Benefits would extend to hotels and airlines as well as restaurants, transport operators, guides, farmers, food producers, artisans and other small businesses.

Asean partners can also help encourage visitors to explore destinations beyond established tourist centers.

Business leadership for a stronger Asean

The summit highlighted the role of private-sector leadership in building a more integrated, innovative and resilient Southeast Asian economy.

Ethnic Chinese business communities across Asean maintain extensive networks in trade, manufacturing, retail, property, logistics, finance, technology and other industries.

Bringing them together in the Philippines can create partnerships, connect enterprises across borders and promote the country as a regional commercial destination.

The gathering complemented the broader diplomatic agenda with a practical economic objective: translating stronger regional relationships into trade, productive investments, tourism revenues, jobs and opportunities for Filipino enterprises.

“The ultimate measure of success is not simply attendance, but the partnerships forged, investments realized, markets opened, and livelihoods improved. By connecting Asean’s business communities and showcasing the Philippines’ people, resources, and economic potential, FFCCCII aims to turn regional collaboration into lasting prosperity for the Philippines and its Southeast Asian neighbors,” FFCCCII said in a statement.

Source: Manila Times