Ongoing global challenges, including the Middle East conflict and trade tensions between the United States and China, are impacting the global economy, but they also present significant opportunities to refine and improve trade policies, according to a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) official. This statement was made on Monday, March 9, 2026, by Benedict Uy, executive director of the DTI Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC), during a pre–ASEAN Business Environment Forum (ABEF) briefing held in Taguig City.
ASEAN Leadership and Regional Cooperation
Uy emphasized that the Philippines, serving as this year’s ASEAN chair, is actively working to sustain dialogue and push for concrete actions aimed at strengthening regional economic cooperation. The ABEF, scheduled for March 11 in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, is designed to showcase innovative ideas and real-world practices that enhance ASEAN’s appeal as an attractive destination for foreign investments.
Geopolitical Tensions and New Opportunities
Uy noted that the forum is taking place at a critical juncture, amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the ongoing trade war, and evolving global trade dynamics. He explained that while such disruptions can stifle progress, they also offer opportunities to capitalize on and develop new trading dynamics. "Alliances that we have once viewed as unbreakable have begun searching for partners elsewhere in the globe," he said, highlighting the shifting landscape of international trade.
Collaborative Efforts and Key Topics
The forum will bring together public and private sector stakeholders from across ASEAN, providing a venue to collaborate and discuss areas where policies can be concretized into tangible actions. Uy added that this initiative is not only beneficial for the Philippines but also for other ASEAN countries. Key topics on the agenda include green interventions and sustainable development, as well as efforts to improve the ease of doing business and strengthen supply chain flows. These measures are intended to support the business sector and help ensure food security in the region.
