Marking a significant milestone in regional diplomacy and economic strategy, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) successfully hosted the ASEAN Editors and Economic Opinion Leaders Forum. The event serves as a strategic kickoff to the Philippines’ tenure as ASEAN Chair, positioning the nation as a central hub for business and investment in Southeast Asia.
The forum brought together an influential cohort of regional editors, policymakers, and business titans to synchronize messaging on ASEAN’s economic potential and foster deeper cross-border collaboration.
The forum’s special session featured President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who articulated a roadmap for a “future-ready” region. The President emphasized that as the Philippines takes the lead, the focus will remain on building an ASEAN that can withstand global economic shifts through unity and innovation.
DTI Secretary Cris A. Roque opened the proceedings, outlining the Philippines’ specific investment priorities. The discussions centered on four critical pillars:
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Supply Chain Resilience: Strengthening local and regional networks to mitigate global disruptions.
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Digital Transformation: Accelerating the adoption of AI and e-commerce to empower MSMEs.
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Sustainable Growth: Promoting green investments and renewable energy transitions.
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Investment Promotion: Highlighting the Philippines as a premier destination for high-value manufacturing and technology.
By convening the region’s primary “opinion leaders,” the DTI aims to amplify ASEAN’s value proposition to the global market. The forum underscores the Philippines’ commitment to not just leading the bloc administratively, but driving the narrative of Southeast Asia as the world’s most dynamic economic engine.
“The Philippines is ready to lead with a vision of inclusivity,” Secretary Roque noted during the sessions. “We are positioning ourselves as the gateway for investors looking to tap into the massive potential of the ASEAN community.”
