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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider DTI sees investment upside from 2026 ASEAN hosting

DTI sees investment upside from 2026 ASEAN hosting

Published Dec 30, 2025 10:30 pm
(Photo from ASEAN 2026 PH via Facebook)
(Photo from ASEAN 2026 PH via Facebook)
The Philippines could see more investments pour in as a result of hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings in 2026, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the country could unlock more investments in the coming year, particularly from regional peers expected to participate in ASEAN meetings.
While she did not provide an actual investment target for 2026, Roque said the government always aims to outperform the previous year.
From January to September 2025, investments registered with the country’s investment promotion agencies (IPAs) reached ₱824.7 billion, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This is down 47.8 percent from ₱1.58 trillion in the same period in 2024.
To attract more investments next year, Roque said the government will focus on business matching as its main strategy.
In line with this, companies could seek the DTI’s assistance in arranging engagements with ASEAN trade ministers or foreign business leaders who will also be present for the summit.
Roque expressed confidence that these discussions could lead to investments, as they would also provide potential investors with an opportunity to better understand the country’s business landscape.
Through the multiple ASEAN-related meetings in 2026, the DTI plans to spotlight key industries such as renewable energy (RE), semiconductors, and critical minerals.
The agency also wants to focus on emerging industries such as the creative economy, women-led businesses, artificial intelligence (AI), and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In hosting the 2026 ASEAN Summit, the government earlier identified five strategic pillars that will anchor its agenda aimed at boosting the region’s competitiveness and economic standing.
These include strengthening trade and investment linkages; leveraging the creative economy and innovation; accelerating digital transformation; advancing sustainable and inclusive economies; and integrating ASEAN’s MSME development agenda.
Last Dec. 10 to 11, 2025, the country hosted its first official ASEAN meeting as chair of the regional bloc with the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting (SEOM) Retreat in Boracay Island.
The SEOM Retreat laid the groundwork for ASEAN’s economic agenda for 2026, including external economic relations and regional trade initiatives, among others.
Roque said the first meeting of ASEAN trade ministers is scheduled to take place in Manila from March 11 to 13, 2026.
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