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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Business groups sign digital pact for 2026 ASEAN summit

Business groups sign digital pact for 2026 ASEAN summit

Published Feb 20, 2026 02:50 pm
ASEAN Business Advisory Council Executive Director Patrick Chua and Chairman Jose Ma. Concepcion III, PSAC Lead for Digital Infrastructure Myla Villanueva, and GoDigital Philippines chair Atty. Mark S. Gorriceta seal a partnership to support digital inclusion and AI-driven growth ahead of the 2026 ASEAN Summit in the Philippines.
ASEAN Business Advisory Council Executive Director Patrick Chua and Chairman Jose Ma. Concepcion III, PSAC Lead for Digital Infrastructure Myla Villanueva, and GoDigital Philippines chair Atty. Mark S. Gorriceta seal a partnership to support digital inclusion and AI-driven growth ahead of the 2026 ASEAN Summit in the Philippines.
The Private Sector Advisory Council-Digital Infrastructure, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, and GoDigital Philippines have formalized a partnership to accelerate regional digital transformation as Manila prepares to host the 2026 ASEAN Summit.
The groups signed a memorandum of agreement establishing a framework for policy dialogue, stakeholder consultations, and joint programs focused on digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, and economic inclusion across Southeast Asia.
The partnership, which runs through December 2026, seeks to align private-sector initiatives with the Philippine government’s agenda for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and regional digital-economy integration.
The agreement was led by PSAC-DI Sector Lead Myla Villanueva, ASEAN-BAC Philippines Chair Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III, and GoDigital Philippines Chair Mark S. Gorriceta.
The collaboration arrives as the Philippine government pushes for modernized digital services to bolster its competitive standing in the region, where digital trade is projected to become a primary driver of GDP growth over the next decade.
Villanueva said the partnership underscores the private sector’s readiness to support the country’s role as the 2026 ASEAN host. The goal is to ensure that digital transformation translates into tangible opportunities for local businesses and communities while shaping a secure digital future for the region.
Under the terms of the agreement, the organizations will facilitate high-level consultations and working groups to address bottlenecks in digital adoption.
The cooperation includes specific provisions to support MSME development through knowledge-sharing and capacity-building initiatives. These efforts are designed to integrate smaller Filipino enterprises into the broader regional supply chain. Furthermore, the groups will collaborate on policy inputs and industry sponsorships to ensure the 2026 ASEAN Summit showcases the country's technological advancements.
The Philippines has seen a surge in digital investment, with the government and private sector earmarking billions of pesos for connectivity and data center infrastructure. The PSAC, an advisory body composed of top business leaders, has been a central figure in coordinating these investments with national policy. By aligning industry expertise with state priorities, the council aims to position the Philippines as a regional leader in the digital economy.
The partnership also addresses the identification of speakers and mobilization of resources for international forums, ensuring that the Philippine digital agenda remains a focal point during the country’s chairmanship. This strategic alignment is expected to streamline the implementation of emerging technologies, such as AI, while maintaining a focus on cybersecurity and regional interoperability.
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