THE Philippines should ensure that economic cooperation among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) must remain both business- and people-centric.
Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn on Wednesday said this is one of three critical areas for the Philippines to consider ensuring a successful chairmanship of Asean in 2026.
Kao was one of the speakers at The Manila Times Economic Outlook Forum with the theme, “Enhancing Asean Partnerships, Improving Philippine Leadership.”
“This focus is crucial for sustaining inclusive growth and ensuring that integration delivers tangible benefits: creating quality jobs, empowering MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), building resilience and narrowing development gaps across the region,” Kao said in a video message.
“By keeping enterprises competitive and people at the center of policymaking, Asean reinforces its relevance, credibility and unity in a rapidly evolving global economy,” he said.
Kao said Asean is the world’s fifth-largest economy with a combined gross domestic product of $3.9 trillion and inward foreign direct investment of $170 billion in 2025. Growth is projected at around 4.4 percent in 2026.
Kao also said the Philippines should lead Asean in pursuing “a more coordinated way to address increasingly complex cross-sector challenges” as the regional grouping begins implementing the Asean Community Vision 2045.
He said that “the value of Asean economic agreements depends on their practical impact.”
“Simplified procedures, greater transparency, lower costs and real market opportunities will build business confidence and strengthen Asean’s reputation as a reliable, integrated and dynamic economic community,” he said.
Kao said The Manila Times’ economic forum “comes at a pivotal moment for Asean” as technological change, shifting trade patterns and geopolitical uncertainty are “reshaping the global economy.” He said the Philippines has assumed the Asean chairmanship under the theme: “Navigating Our Future, Together.”
“This theme reflects what the moments call for: shared responsibility, collective leadership and stronger partnerships,” Kao said.
Under the economic pillar, he said the Philippines has identified a clear set of Priority Economic Deliverables for 2026 aimed at “deepening Asean integration and transforming our regional economy to be more innovative, sustainable and inclusive.”
“These priorities will expand opportunities for businesses, particularly MSMEs, to join regional value chains in high growth sectors, such as electric vehicles, AI (artificial intelligence), data centers and semiconductors,” he added.
Meanwhile, Asean Business Advisory Council chairman and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said the Philippines having a good image during the country’s chairmanship of the bloc is very important.
Speaking during The Manila Times’ economic forum on Wednesday, Concepcion said the country needs to straighten itself out, citing Congress realizing the mistakes they have made in the flood control issue.
“It’s not too late to change our image, but moving forward, we really have to fight corruption in this country, and that is the biggest challenge we have,” he said.
Concepcion said the government has the chance to change the perspective of people about the country.
“We have now the opportunity to change the way people think about our country, and this is the best time, as we host the Asean,” he said.
