Regional groups promote linkages

To link business owners, the Management Association of the Philippines had sealed a partnership with two other ASEAN business organizations.

During MAP's international CEO Conference last week, the group president, Benedicta Du-Baladad, sealed a memorandum of partnership and cooperation with the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce and the Thailand Management Association.

Singaporean SICC chairperson Bicky Bhangu and TMA president Nithi Patarachoke signed the MPC with Baladad, witnessed by the ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn who delivered the keynote address during the Conference, George Barcelon, a Philippines representative to the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, and Ambassador Tull Traisorat of Thailand.

Deeper business linkages as goal

The MPC seeks to deepen business linkages within the region and assure its active cooperation in the goal towards ASEAN centrality, described as "the primary driving force in its relations and cooperation with its external partners."

Aside from sharing best management practices, the partnership aims to pursue mutually beneficial partnerships within the region through undertaking education, information activities, and training programs that can enhance the knowledge and skills of management practitioners and future leaders, and advocate for reforms that will improve the ease of doing business in the ASEAN region.

"The future of integration in ASEAN should be characterized by strong partnerships, development driven by innovation, as well as an inclusive approach that gives priority to the people," Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Hourn emphasized in his keynote speech.

The partnership initiated by MAP can potentially open the gateway for exploring direct business opportunities among companies in the region and take advantage of the benefits of trade liberalization.

Since the members of each of these organizations are already known, it can shorten the process of looking for partners and directly engaging those already involved in the industries of interest.

"The bottom line is recovery and growth — and these two are shared goals that can transcend shifting alliances. By enabling these linkages at the business and industry level, we can bypass the bureaucratic impediments and go straight to building partnerships and forging long-term relationships," Baladad explained.