[30 JULY 2026 | SINGAPORE] - ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Philippines Chair Jose Ma. Concepcion III mapped the Philippines' vision for its ASEAN Chairship in 2026 during ASEAN Night, a gathering held on the sidelines of the 10th ASEAN Conference organized by the Singapore Business Federation last July 30 at the Resorts World Convention Centre in Singapore.

ASEAN Business Advisory Council Chair Joey Concepcion outlines the Philippines' priorities for its 2026 ASEAN Chairship at a fireside conversation with discussion moderator and Singapore Women Entrepreneurs Network Chairperson Rachel Eng during the ASEAN Night last July 30, 2026, at the 10th ASEAN Conference in Singapore.

During a fireside chat with Singapore Women Entrepreneurs Network Chairperson Rachel Eng, Concepcion shared the Philippines' priorities for its chairship, including empowering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), amplifying regional food security, and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.

"The future of ASEAN depends on how well we help our MSMEs grow. When big businesses bring them into their value chains, when we secure our food systems, and when we give our young entrepreneurs the chance to succeed, we create prosperity that is shared with everyone. That is the ASEAN we want to build together," Concepcion said.

The foundation of this vision is two flagship projects of ASEAN-BAC Philippines, namely the ASEAN Food Security Alliance (AFSA) and the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN) 2.0. 

AFSA seeks to unite leading agribusiness and agri-food stakeholders to build a more resilient and competitive food ecosystem in ASEAN. At the same time, AMEN 2.0–- ASEAN-BAC Philippines’s legacy program from its previous chairship in 2017 – aims to expand to include crucial capacity-building mechanisms for digital cross-border commerce in the region-wide entrepreneurship mentoring program.

Concepcion also emphasized that prosperity is meaningful only when MSMEs benefit. Aligned with the council’s “People” pillar, this task involves integrating small businesses into corporate value chains; larger companies can provide access to capital, markets, mentorship, and digital tools, thereby creating stronger, more resilient supply chains for everyone. 

This two-day event was held last July 30 and 31 under the theme "ASEAN's Future in a Fractured World." The event gathered business leaders, litigators, and delegates from across ASEAN and beyond, providing an avenue for regional conversations and partnerships. 

The first day's conversations explored what it took to build businesses that thrive and pass from one generation to the next. Meanwhile, the second day of the conference focused on helping businesses navigate geopolitics, quicken digital transformation, and fortify regional resilience.

ABOUT ASEAN-BAC PH

The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN‑BAC) is the region’s principal private sector advisory body, providing business insights and recommendations to ASEAN Leaders. It serves as the primary platform for the private sector to engage with policymakers, advocate for economic cooperation, and advance ASEAN’s integration agenda. It was founded in 2001. 

In 2026, ASEAN-BAC Philippines, led by Chair Joey Concepcion alongside Members George Barcelon and Michael Tan, will once again chair and host the Council and its Dialogue Partners, ensuring that private sector priorities are integrated into regional economic development and policy initiatives.

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MEDIA NOTE: All interview requests related to ASEAN-BAC PHILIPPINES should be directed to the ASEAN-BAC PH Communications Manager, at josenatividad@gonegosyo.ph

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