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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH kicks off ASEAN-BAC 2026 chairmanship with call to empower MSMEs, digital economy

PH kicks off ASEAN-BAC 2026 chairmanship with call to empower MSMEs, digital economy

Published Jul 11, 2025 08:57 am

At A Glance

  • With the theme, "Reimagining ASEAN-BAC," the Council's chair for 2026, Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, said the event aimed to chart a long-term strategic direction for the council, which serves as the private sector's voice in ASEAN policymaking.
Business leaders called for stronger support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), digital innovation, and regional sustainability, as the Philippines soft-launched its 2026 chairmanship of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) during a landmark regional retreat in Makati City this week.
TOWARD A MISSION-DRIVEN ASEAN-BAC. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque addresses the members of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) during the first-ever ASEAN-BAC Retreat in Makati on July 7, 2025. With her were (from left) ASEAN-BAC Lao-PDR Chair Oudet Souvannavong, ASEAN-BAC 2025 Chair and head of ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, Tan Sri Nazir Razak, and incoming ASEAN-BAC Chair Joey Concepcion of the Philippines.
TOWARD A MISSION-DRIVEN ASEAN-BAC. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque addresses the members of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) during the first-ever ASEAN-BAC Retreat in Makati on July 7, 2025. With her were (from left) ASEAN-BAC Lao-PDR Chair Oudet Souvannavong, ASEAN-BAC 2025 Chair and head of ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, Tan Sri Nazir Razak, and incoming ASEAN-BAC Chair Joey Concepcion of the Philippines.
The first-ever ASEAN-BAC Retreat, held July 7–8, gathered council members from across Southeast Asia, alongside diplomats, government officials, and development partners.
With the theme, “Reimagining ASEAN-BAC,” the Council’s chair for 2026, Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, said the event aimed to chart a long-term strategic direction for the council, which serves as the private sector’s voice in ASEAN policymaking.
“We envision an ASEAN where no one is left behind—where digital innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship fuel inclusive growth that uplifts people, empowers communities, and benefits all nations,” he said.
Concepcion emphasized the need to make ASEAN relevant to the daily lives of ordinary citizens, particularly small entrepreneurs, women, youth, and farmers.
“ASEAN is not for big business alone,” he said.
“Whenever we host events like the ASEAN Summit, the biggest concern of the people is that it will cause traffic—we have to change that. We must humanize ASEAN. We must make its purpose and benefits very clear,” he added.
Concepcion added that the upcoming Philippine chairmanship will push for a more grassroots-oriented ASEAN, focused on scaling up MSMEs and strengthening agriculture.

‘PH ready to lead with’

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, the Philippines’ ASEAN Economic Minister, joined the retreat to present the country’s priorities for 2026, including:
  • MSME empowerment
  • Development of digital talent
  • Promotion of creative industries
  • Advancement of digital trade and the digital economy
  • Economic security
  • Energy resilience and transition
“These pillars reflect our aspiration for a more inclusive, digitally enabled, and resilient Philippines and ASEAN,” Roque said.
“We call on our ASEAN family to look at the Philippines as a trade and investment destination. We are ready to lead with purpose and partnership,” she added.

New, mission-driven ASEAN-BAC

ASEAN-BAC 2025 Chair Tan Sri Nazir Razak of Malaysia called for a long-term transformation of the Council into a more agile, forward-looking institution.
“ASEAN-BAC must transform to become a more effective voice for the private sector in the region,” he said.
“We must move from event-driven action to mission-driven continuity,” he added.
With the Philippines set to chair ASEAN next year, Concepcion said the retreat helped make the Philippines’ chairmanship productive and meaningful for the entire region.
“The road to a successful ASEAN-BAC Chairmanship starts with strong partnerships between the government and the private sector, working together to deliver real, lasting impact for our people,” he said.

Related Tags

ASEAN MSMEs Joey Concepcion
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