Highlighting record-breaking export growth and a bold vision for regional connectivity, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque positioned the Philippines as Asia’s next premier digital powerhouse during a high-level meeting with the US-APEC Business Coalition in Suzhou, China.
Held on the sidelines of the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou, China on May 21, 2026, the forum brought together top executives from major global financial, tech, and logistics corporations, including Mastercard, Visa, Johnson & Johnson, Onsemi, NCAPEC, and UPS.
Secretary Roque opened her address by showcasing the resilience and rapid growth of the Philippine economy under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. She revealed a historic milestone for trade, noting that just last month, the country’s export sales surged to an all-time high of $8.17 billion—the highest monthly performance recorded since 1991. This represents a remarkable 20.4% jump from the previous year, driven heavily by electronics, which accounted for 59 percent of total exports at USD4.82 billion.
With the formal APEC meetings set to commence the following day, Secretary Roque noted that tech and innovation are at the very top of the regional agenda. She shared that active discussions are underway to establish a proposed APEC Trade Digitalization Cooperation Framework, focusing on building secure and inclusive online trade networks. Secretary Roque emphasized that the Philippines is aggressively leveraging this momentum, stating that digital transformation is no longer just a choice, but the country’s primary engine for economic growth.
At home, the DTI is using technology to upgrade local small businesses, expand e-commerce infrastructure, accelerate AI adoption, and establish the Philippines as the definitive “Digital Services Hub” of Asia. This readiness has already triggered an influx of global investments in high-tech infrastructure, such as large-scale data centers and green manufacturing.
The Trade Chief tied these local advancements to the Philippines’ pivotal role as the ASEAN Chair this year. At the heart of its regional leadership is the aggressive push for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA). She reported that negotiations are moving quickly and expressed optimism that the agreement will be signed during the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit this November, marking a historic milestone as the world’s first region-wide, legally binding digital trade pact.
According to the Secretary, these massive international partnerships directly reflect President Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas.
This momentum ensures economic gains are not confined to major cities but are actively uplifting startups, farmers, and young entrepreneurs across all provinces. Closing her address, Secretary Roque reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with global business leaders and regional neighbors to build a secure, interconnected, and prosperous future for all.
