As e-Commerce emerges as a vital tool in the country's economic development, developing this sector becomes a key government priority. And to achieve this, close cooperation between all stakeholders is a must.

This is according to the quick-commerce digital platform foodpanda, which joined fellow industry leaders and government partners at the country's first-ever e-Commerce congress.

"We need strong support and collaboration from key players like us to build an inclusive and sustainable e-Commerce ecosystem in the country," foodpanda Philippines Managing Director Daniel Marogy said during his panelist speech.

The event, spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry in partnership with the Philippine Bar Association, aimed to pave the way for productive dialogues among stakeholders to help enable the PH e-Commerce industry to flourish.

"e-Commerce is a vast and ever -evolving industry, and we can attest to this. Our business operates as a quick commerce platform and is one of many models that evolved under e-Commerce. Beyond just food delivery, we have also ventured into grocery selections, logistics as a service, and digital payments, among others, to serve the ever-changing needs of the market," the foodpanda PH chief explained.

Q-commerce platforms are just one of the many online retail businesses that have emerged and increased in number as the country's internet economy grew by 93 percent — the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia. The figure was cited in a study done by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company, which also projects that the numbers will continue to increase in the coming years.

With the continuous expansion of e-Commerce's reach in the country, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual emphasized that this is the right time to develop policies and regulations related to the industry. "With the right policies, e-Commerce can be the greatest equalizer for access to economic opportunities for our people."