HONG KONG, SAR–The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) promoted stronger trade and investment ties between the Philippines and the Greater Bay Area (GBA) during the GBA-ASEAN Summit 2026 held on June 30, 2026.
Through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center – Hong Kong (PTIC-HK), the DTI facilitated the Philippines’ participation in the summit, which gathered government and business leaders from Hong Kong, the GBA, and ASEAN to discuss new opportunities for regional growth.
DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque led the Philippine delegation and delivered a ministerial speech positioning the Philippines as ASEAN’s natural gateway to the Greater Bay Area.
She highlighted the country’s record-breaking trade performance under the President Marcos Jr. administration, including a 15.4% export surge in 2025 and continued strong growth in early 2026, driven by high demand in semiconductors, electronics, and renewables. As the Philippines chairs ASEAN this year, she emphasized that regional resilience must be “co-engineered” through stronger bilateral ties and the upcoming Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
“As ASEAN Chair this year, the Philippines is working around the clock with our regional partners to build stronger, more resilient, and more connected economies. We see the Greater Bay Area as an important partner in this effort, especially in trade, innovation, digital services, and investments that create real opportunities for our people,” Secretary Roque said.
The Trade Secretary also cited the Philippines’ open and business-friendly environment, supported by key reforms such as the CREATE MORE Act, the Green Lanes for Strategic Investments, and Republic Act No. 12252, which allows foreign investors to lease private land in the Philippines for up to 99 years.
She said these reforms provide greater certainty for investors and strengthen the country’s position as a competitive destination for companies looking to expand in Southeast Asia.
“Just as the GBA serves as a critical economic engine for its region, the Philippines is open and ready to be your strategic partner of choice in entering the ASEAN market. With our strategic location and highly adaptive workforce, we offer a welcoming platform for GBA enterprises looking to establish or expand their presence in the fast-growing Southeast Asian market. With our Foreign Trade Service Corps and 21 offices worldwide, including our Philippine Trade and Investment Centers, we stand ready to connect Greater Bay Area enterprises with prospective business partners in the Philippines,” Roque added.
She also encouraged the private sector to combine Hong Kong’s strengths in finance, technology, and connectivity with the Philippines’ young and highly skilled workforce to create more jobs, expand industries, and support shared prosperity.
The summit also featured keynote addresses from Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee and HK-ASEAN Foundation Chairman and Founding Patron of the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong Dr. Daryl Ng. It also marked the official launch of the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong, which aims to strengthen business linkages between ASEAN and Hong Kong.
In 2025, ASEAN was Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner, with total merchandise trade reaching HK$1.6685 trillion, or approximately US$213.9 billion. This accounted for 15.3% of Hong Kong’s total global merchandise trade.
The Philippines ranked as Hong Kong’s fifth-largest trading partner among ASEAN member states and 13th globally in 2025, with total trade valued at HK$122.292 billion, or approximately US$15.678 billion.
