‘Inclusive growth central to Philippine’s Asean 2026 chairship’MANILA, Philippines — As this year’s host of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Philippines should be inclusive to inspire the region’s citizens and let them know they can “move up in the chain of prosperity,” according to ASEAN Business Advisory Council chair Jose Ma. Concepcion III. “The goal of ASEAN will not work if we cannot reach the last micro entrepreneur, and give help and inspiration to them,” Concepcion said on Feb. 12. Concepcion plans to livestream the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in malls nationwide to bring high-level discussions closer to the masses. At the forum, Concepcion launched nonprofit Go Negosyo’s Trabaho@Negosyo mall-based program, which combines a job fair with free entrepreneurship mentoring.

Source: Philippine Star February 16, 2026 03:50 UTC