FFCCCII taps ASEAN networks to expand Philippine business
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) convened business leaders from across Southeast Asia on Monday to explore opportunities for trade, investments and tourism as the Philippines hosts the ASEAN Summit.
The 2nd ASEAN-Chinese Business Leaders Summit and ASEAN-Chinese Business Forum 2026, held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, gathered government officials and business executives under the theme “Leading ASEAN Forward: Innovation, Resilience, and Regional Collaboration.”
Stronger regional partnerships
FFCCCII president Victor Lim said stronger regional partnerships and the adoption of new technologies could help ASEAN economies address geopolitical uncertainties, economic volatility, climate change and technological disruption.
“By embracing innovation and new technologies, we can contribute to a more prosperous South East Asian region,” Lim said in his welcome remarks.
He also emphasized the role of business chambers in connecting entrepreneurs, facilitating the exchange of ideas and turning commercial opportunities into concrete projects.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian served as the summit’s featured speaker. Other participants included Jose Ma. A. Concepcion III, chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council; Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.; Securities and Exchange Commission chairperson Rogelio V. Quevedo; and Jollibee Group Global president and chief executive officer Ernesto Tan Mantiong.
Connecting local partnerships to regional markets
The summit focused on potential partnerships across manufacturing, agriculture, technology, logistics, digital services and tourism, with discussions aimed at connecting Philippine enterprises to regional markets and investment networks.
Lim said the Filipino-Chinese business community has also contributed to national development through initiatives such as school-building projects, volunteer fire brigades, medical missions and disaster relief operations.
He urged ASEAN business groups to deepen cooperation and combine their strengths to build a more connected and resilient regional economy.
Philippine investment opportunities
The Philippines, meanwhile, offers investment opportunities in electronics, food processing, infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, digital services and tourism.
The FFCCCII said regional partnerships could help local businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, access new customers, distribution networks, technology and expertise.
The gathering also highlighted tourism as a potential driver of regional cooperation, with opportunities for joint promotions, improved connectivity, cultural exchanges and business travel that could benefit hotels, transport operators, food producers and other local enterprises.
The summit underscored the role of private-sector collaboration in translating regional economic ties into investments, jobs and wider opportunities for Filipino businesses.