UMVA has learned that the Philippines’ upcoming ASEAN chairmanship could unleash a wave of opportunity for the nation’s micro, small and medium enterprises.
Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines, Jose “Joey” Concepcion, says the influx of regional giants will not drown out local innovators but instead ignite inspiration among countless Filipino entrepreneurs.
He describes the chairmanship as a rare blessing that may rewrite the destiny of many small‑business owners, giving them a front‑row seat to the continent’s most powerful economic gathering.
The Department of Trade and Industry is poised to turn the spotlight on trade, investment, digital innovation, MSME development and the creative economy, turning the Philippines into a living showcase for the region.
While multinational investors and global CEOs will converge on Manila’s high‑end venues, Concepcion urges that the conversation must also reach the street‑level dreamers who fuel the country’s economy.
He warns that ticket prices and tight security at venues near Manila Bay could bar many from attending, so the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit this November will feature public‑friendly access points.
One bold move includes installing LED screens in shopping malls, broadcasting the summit live so everyday Filipinos can watch the negotiations unfold without stepping inside the exclusive halls.
Despite political turbulence and soaring oil prices, the entrepreneurial spirit remains fierce; countless new ventures are sprouting across the archipelago.
Concepcion stresses that mentorship is the missing link for many hopeful founders, turning a seemingly simple start‑up journey into a sustainable enterprise.
His organization, Go Negosyo, has expanded the Trabaho@Negosyo program—mall‑based job fairs and mentorship hubs that pair talent with training, funding and market access.
The timing of the ASEAN chairmanship is critical, arriving once every decade, and Concepcion believes it can galvanize support for struggling entrepreneurs under the current administration’s leadership.
Government figures reveal that MSMEs comprised 99.6% of all registered businesses in 2023, underscoring their pivotal role in the nation’s economic fabric.
