Philippines pitches to GBA investors as gateway to Southeast Asia
Manila’s trade chief highlights 150M young, English-speaking workforce and soaring trade data.
At the South China Morning Post’s GBA-Asean Summit 2026 in Hong Kong, Philippine Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque pitched the country as an ideal gateway for Greater Bay Area businesses expanding into Southeast Asia. She emphasized the Philippines’ 150 million population—mostly young, digitally fluent, and English-speaking—as a key asset, alongside special economic zones and growing trade data. "We are a maritime, demographic and digital bridge built for the decade ahead," she told the forum at Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel.
Roque urged investors to view the Philippines as a welcoming platform that complements the Greater Bay Area’s R&D strengths, offering a strategic location for manufacturing, services, and tech talent. The pitch underscores Manila’s push to attract Chinese investment amid regional competition, leveraging its workforce and trade links to become a hub for GBA companies seeking Southeast Asian market access.
- Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque pitched at SCMP's GBA-Asean Summit 2026 in Hong Kong.
- Philippines has 150 million people, mostly young, English-speaking, and digitally fluent.
- Special economic zones and strategic maritime location make it a gateway for GBA businesses into ASEAN.
Why It Matters
Deepens China-ASEAN economic ties, offering GBA firms a talent-rich springboard into Southeast Asia.