European businesses are closely watching the Philippines as key economic reforms and the resumption of negotiations on the EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (EU-PH FTA) open new investment opportunities in the country.
These developments will take centerstage at the 2025 European-Philippine Business Dialogue (EPBD) and European Investors’ Night on October 16 at Raffles & Fairmont Makati, organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC).
Set against renewed momentum in EU-PH economic relations, this year’s dialogue—carrying the theme “Keeping the Philippine Centerstage”—will gather top policymakers and business leaders to discuss how recent policy shifts can spur European trade and investments.
Key discussions will focus on the CREATE MORE Act, the Public-Private Partnership Code, liberalization of foreign ownership in renewable energy, and investment prospects under the Build Better More Program. Officials will also tackle the Green Lanes for Strategic Investments and provide updates on strategies to boost bilateral trade under the FTA framework.
Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, Anti-Red Tape Authority Director General Ernesto V. Perez, and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick D. Go are among the confirmed speakers.
The high-level forum will be followed by the European Investors’ Night, a networking platform designed to connect government, European companies, and local partners to explore new business ventures.
The events are held in partnership with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development and Philippine Economic Zone Authority, with support from the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (SEIPI).
PMFTC leads the roster of sponsors as gold partner, joined by bronze partners Concentrix, HSBC, Pru Life UK, and SGV & Co.. Booth partners include GROW Inc., Philippine National Bank (PNB), and Loft, with ADP as table top & conference kit partner.
The initiative is supported by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, several EU member-state embassies, and European chambers of commerce in the country. Media partners The Manila Times and Philippine Business and News will cover the event.
With over 900 member companies, the ECCP positions itself as a key bridge between European businesses and the Philippine market, as the country seeks to leverage reforms to attract more foreign investments.