ASEAN chairmanship to boost 2026 growth prospects, biz chamber says

THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) said it expects economic growth to pick up in 2026 as the Philippines takes up the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), promising a boost to investment, trade, and tourism.

In a statement, FFCCCII President Victor Lim said the chamber remains cautiously optimistic despite geopolitical risks, inflationary pressures, and supply-chain adjustments.

“Given this environment, we are still hopeful that the Philippines is uniquely positioned at a strategic inflection point, poised to convert substantial domestic and regional opportunities into tangible, inclusive growth, as long as reforms are continued,” Mr. Lim said.

The FFCCCII said chairmanship of ASEAN presents an opportunity to improve the Philippines’ economic standing and visibility among global investors, with the potential to improve investor perception and encouraging foreign direct investment (FDI).

According to the chamber, chairing ASEAN could highlight the Philippines’ macroeconomic fundamentals, young labor force, and public-private partnership pipeline to attract job-generating investments.

However, the chamber said growth prospects are contingent on sustained policy reforms.

“The FFCCCII emphasizes that sustained growth requires an unwavering commitment from all sectors to implement systemic reforms—enhancing regulatory efficiency, investing in critical infrastructure, enhancing good governance and fortifying human capital,” Mr. Lim said.

He said the FFCCCII is prepared to support government and private-sector initiatives tied to the ASEAN chairmanship.

“We stand ready to engage in dialogue, facilitate partnerships, and contribute to projects that will maximize the dividends of our ASEAN hosting and solidify our economic trajectory,” he said. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel