BUSINESS

Phl expands market access via FTAs, DEFA — Roque

Raffy Ayeng · Aug 3, 2026, 12:45 AM

SECRETARY Cristina Roque (right) tells Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong that the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, concluded this year in the Philippines, is a game-changer for regional integration and marks a major milestone toward the ASEAN Leaders’ vision of a digitally integrated, secure, interoperable, competitive, and inclusive regional economy. — PHOTOGRAPH courtesy of DTI

The Philippines has expanded market access through the government’s diligence to secure free trade agreements with other countries, and the monumental conclusion of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) during the Philippines chairship of ASEAN this year.

This was aired by Trade Secretary Cristina Roque to Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong during the Singapore Business Federation’s ASEAN Conference 2026 on 31 July to advance key ASEAN priorities

Roque, during the event, championed the successful conclusion of the DEFA as a game-changer for regional integration and marking a major milestone toward the ASEAN Leaders’ vision of a digitally integrated, secure, interoperable, competitive, and inclusive regional economy.

Roque advanced the Philippine ASEAN Chairmanship’s “Prosperity Corridors” pillar, which focuses on strategic trade, digital economy, critical minerals strategy, intellectual property, regional payment connectivity, and creative industries.

“As ASEAN's first region-wide digital economy agreement, DEFA is designed to make digital trade easier, safer, and more seamless across our borders. With successful implementation, studies estimate that DEFA could help grow ASEAN's digital economy to around $2 trillion by 2030,” Secretary Roque said.

“The Agreement provides a regional framework for ASEAN’s digital economy ecosystem, covering areas such as digital trade, cross-border e-commerce, digital payment, digital identifier, cyber security, data governance, competition policy, emerging technologies, and digital talent,” Roque added.