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Manila Bulletin devider Embassies at Work devider US-ASEAN Business Council leads largest business delegation to Manila

US-ASEAN Business Council leads largest business delegation to Manila

Published Aug 18, 2025 01:39 pm
SAPIEA Secretary Frederick D. Go with US-ASEAN Business Council delegation
SAPIEA Secretary Frederick D. Go with US-ASEAN Business Council delegation
The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) successfully held its 2025 Philippines Business Mission, its annual flagship business-to-government engagement program, from August 11 to 14 in Manila. With a total of 35 US companies, this marked the largest ever USABC business mission to the Philippines. The mission was co-led by former Ambassador Ted Osius (ret.), USABC senior vice president and Regional Managing director and Stephen Braim, USABC Philippines Committee co-chair, for Government & Regulatory Affairs vice president of Asia Pacific at IBM, and Paul Favila, Citi Philippines managing director and chief executive officer. This year’s business mission builds on a pivotal moment in US-Philippines relations, marked by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent visit to the White House.
The USABC is conducted this event back-to-back with an Aerospace, Defense, and Security (ADS) Mission to the Philippines, from August 14 to 15. This industry mission also marks the Council’s largest-ever ADS delegation to the country, with participation from 26 leading US companies across the defense and security sectors.
“With close to 60 companies joining this historic back-to-back business missions, the US private sector demonstrates its steady, deep, and enduring commitment to the Philippines as a key partner in the region” said Ambassador Osius. “The US-Philippines relationship is a unique one and our delegation reflects our collective commitment to supporting the Philippines’ long-term economic growth, innovation, and regional competitiveness,” he added.
The delegation began its mission with a meeting at the Malacañan Palace, with Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Frederick D. Go, and Secretary of Trade and Industry Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, during which US business executives reaffirmed their commitment to expanding investments and upskilling efforts in the Philippines. Secretary Roque was joined by Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo and Philippine Economic Zones Authority Director General Tereso Panga.
“We are pleased to welcome the record turnout of the US-ASEAN Business Council mission to the Philippines, which affirms the strength of our economic partnership and the confidence of US businesses in the country’s investment climate,” said SAPIEA Secretary Go. “This engagement opens new avenues for strategic public-private partnerships that leverage our countries' complementary strengths in key industries, such as electronics and semiconductors, food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, and digitalization. We stand ready to assist US companies expand their presence in the Philippines and participate in the country's promising growth story.”
The group then held high-level engagements with senior officials across key government bodies and their attached agencies. Among these government executives included Ambassador MaryKay Carlson from the US Embassy in Manila, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Philippine Ambassador to the US Babe Romualdez, Agriculture Undersecretary Asis Perez, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Zeno Ronald Abenoja, Budget and Management Undersecretary Margaux Salcedo, Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jonas Leones, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Francis Lim, and Insurance Commission Chairman Reynaldo Regalado, among others.
The delegation likewise met with leaders from the Philippine Congress, led by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Senate Committees on Agriculture and Constitutional Amendments chairman, and Representative Miro Quimbo of the House Committee on Ways and Means.
A reception at the US Ambassador’s residence was also hosted for the delegation, with over 155 leaders from government, business, and diplomatic community in attendance.
Guided by the theme “Advancing Inclusive Growth Through Strategic and Resilient Partnerships,” the delegation demonstrated its commitment to supporting the Philippines through public-private collaboration in key areas such as regulatory reform, workforce development, navigating global trade dynamics, and preparations for the country’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.
“Digital transformation is essential to unlocking the next phase of economic growth in the Philippines,” said Stephen Braim, Government and Regulatory Affairs Vice President, IBM Asia Pacific. “IBM is proud to work alongside the Council and the Philippine government to advance initiatives that modernize public services and strengthen the country’s position in an increasingly competitive global economy,” he added.
“As global connectivity accelerates, Citi is happy to support our colleagues in the Council in facilitating investments into the Philippines,” said Paul Favila, Citi Philippines CEO. “This is consistent with our mandate of enabling economic progress that we have been executing for more than a century of doing business and serving our clients in the country,” he added.
USABC’s Philippines Committee co-chairs IBM and Citi, its vice-chairs, Coca-Cola, Cargill, and Zuellig Pharma along with 3M, Abbott, Amazon, American Express, Anglicotech Philippines, Inc., Astrophysics, Bayer, Bell Textron, Boeing, Chevron, Cisco, Corteva, Equinix, Ford, Jhpiego, Jollibee Group, JP Morgan, Lockheed Martin, Manulife, Mastercard, MSD Animal Health, Netflix, Philip Morris International, Salesforce, TE Connectivity, Texas Instruments, The Asia Group, UltraPass, Visa, and Vriens and Partners participated in the 2025 Philippines Business Mission.
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