The Philippine government’s message was clear at the 2025 European-Philippine Business Dialogue: the country is ready to do business better.
Through fiscal prudence, transparent governance, and bold economic reforms, officials reaffirmed their commitment to build a competitive, investor-friendly environment backed by strong public-private collaboration.
Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman emphasized this in her keynote address:
“The EU is an invaluable partner of the Philippines in our Agenda for Prosperity. We look forward to our continued partnership in pursuing regional growth and security, fostering our shared values of transparency and accountability, and achieving our vision of a Bagong Pilipinas anchored on sustainability and inclusivity.”
She also underscored the government’s priority of fiscal discipline and effective spending as a foundation for growth: “I’m confident that together, we can promote economic expansion and move in a wide range of opportunities towards fulfilling our agenda for prosperity and the vision of the model Philippines.”
From ARTA’s anti-red tape initiatives to the CREATE MORE Act and the Public-Private Partnership Code, the government is building a strong framework for efficiency and innovation. Lea Grace B. Salcedo, Deputy Director General for Operations of the Anti-Red Tape Authority, invited deeper collaboration: “As we look into the future, we invite our European partners to deepen their engagement with the Philippines, whether it is renewable energy, digital transformations, healthcare, work education. There is a vast potential for collaboration.”
Complementing these policy efforts, the ECCP’s 2025 Advocacy Papers, which was launched during the event, serve as a roadmap for enhancing competitiveness.
ECCP Executive Director Florian Gottein said the Advocacy Papers reflect the insights and recommendations of industry leaders and policy advocates who share a common goal. “That is to help shape a more competitive and sustainable business environment in the Philippines.”
Together, these reforms and advocacy initiatives send a clear message: the Philippines is serious about reform, open to investment, and committed to sustainable progress.