Philippine Economic Opportunities Take Center Stage in Milan, Italy
Panelists and participants in the Philippine Economic Dialogue held on 06 May 2025 at Allianz MiCo – Milano Convention Centre, Milan on the sidelines of the 58th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). (Photo courtesy of the Asian Development Bank)
ROME 16 May 2025 — The Philippines reaffirmed before a room full of Italian investors its significant potential for trade and investments at the Philippine Economic Dialogue held at Allianz MiCo – Milano Convention Centre in Milan, Italy on 06 May 2025, on the sidelines of the 58th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), who delivered the keynote address, underscored the Philippines’ sustained economic momentum and commendable performance anchored on sound macroeconomic management, strategic government interventions and a solid commitment to reform. He also highlighted the Philippines’ USD392 billion economic size, its remarkable progress as a rising middle-income country, and its sizable population of 114 million with a median age of 27.
The panel discussion, joined by Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, Finance Undersecretary and Chief Economist Domini SD. Velasquez, Agriculture Undersecretary Asis G. Perez, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Assistant Governor Zeno Ronaldo R. Abenoja, and ADB Deputy Director General for Southeast Asia Pavit Ramachandran, and moderated by Finance Undersecretary Margaux Salcedo, also showcased opportunities across sectors that make the Philippines a prime destination for global investors who seek sustainable and high-growth ventures. Undersecretary for International and European Relations Raffaele Cattaneo of the Lombardy Region of the Italian Republic served as a reactor. ADB Director General for Southeast Asia Winfried F. Wicklein delivered the closing remarks.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Neal Imperial underlined the Philippines’ strategic position at the center of the Indo-Pacific region. “It would be a smart move for major European economies, including that of Italy, to seriously consider the Philippines as part of their de-risking and diversification strategy for their manufacturing operations overseas. Having only one Southeast Asian country as a de-risking alternative may not be sufficient as we are seeing in the current tariff disputes,” Ambassador Imperial said.
The Philippine Economic Dialogue was organized by the Philippine Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Embassy in Rome, Philippine Consulate General in Milan, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines. It served as a platform for Philippine key economic officials to share updates with the international business and financial communities on investment opportunities in the Philippines and its strong economic performance. Around 100 participants, mostly from the Italian business sector, attended the event.
During the course of the five-day ADB Annual Meeting, Ambassador Imperial, Agriculture Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Regulations Atty. Asis G. Perez, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Deputy Administrator Roel M. Rosales, Philippine Consul General to Northern Italy Elmer Cato and Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Donna Celeste Feliciano-Gatmaytan also attended the opening on 06 May 2025 of the Coconut Philippines Pavilion at Tuttofood Milano 2025, held at Fiera Milano on 05-08 May 2025. The Pavilion showcased a variety of coconut products, as well as calamansi and lambanog at the major annual food exhibition.
The Department of Trade and Industry – Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), International Trade Centre (ITC), and the participating Philippine exporters, namely, Bahaghari Global Food Inc., Cattleya & Rose Gourmet Foods Trading, Cocoplus Aquarian Development Corporation, Fruits of Life Inc., Pasciolco Agri Ventures Inc., Wellnesscare International Corp., Good Sense Food & Juices Corporation, MS3 Agri-Ventures Corp., Sandpiper Spices and Condiments Corp., and Soyuz Foods International Inc., initiated the Philippine participation in the 10th edition of the food fair.
Tuttofood is a major B2B international food exhibition initiated by Italy. It serves as a key platform for the food and beverage industry to connect with producers, distributors and buyers, as well as showcase innovative products and latest developments in the agri-food system. END
Opening on 06 May 2025 of the Coconut Philippines Pavilion at Tuttofood Milano 2025 held at Fiera Milano, Milan. Deputy Administrator Roel M. Rosales, Operations Branch-Philippine Coconut Authority (leftmost) showcases the coconut products, including lambanog, to Ambassador Neal Imperial (second from right), Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Regulations Atty. Asis G. Perez of the Department of Agriculture (fourth from left), Agriculture Attache Dr. Josyline C. Javelosa, Philippine Embassy in Italy (third from left); Philippine Commercial Counsellor and Director Rosa Katrina Banzon, Philippine Trade and Investment Centre-Paris (second from left); Director Bianca Pearl Sykimte, Export Marketing Bureau-Department of Trade and Industry (rightmost); Ms. Maura M. Pasciolco (middle) and Mr. Manolito P. Pasciolco (third from right), owner of Pasciolco Agri Ventures.
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