The Philippines is uniquely positioned to serve as a gateway for Greater Bay Area businesses into Southeast Asia, the country’s trade secretary said on Tuesday, as she outlined Manila’s push to promote a pro-investment environment.
Speaking at the South China Morning Post’s GBA-Asean Summit 2026, Cristina Aldeguer-Roque urged investors to view the Philippines as a springboard into the region and to tap into the country’s young, digitally fluent workforce.
“We are a maritime, demographic and digital bridge built for the decade ahead,” she told the forum at the Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel in Hong Kong.
With a population of 150 million who were predominantly young and English-speaking, the Philippines was “uniquely positioned” to complement the Greater Bay Area’s research and development capabilities, Aldeguer-Roque said.
With our strategic location and highly adaptive workforce, we are offering a welcoming platform
“With our strategic location and highly adaptive workforce, we are offering a welcoming platform for GBA [Greater Bay Area] enterprises looking to expand or establish their presence in the fast-growing Southeast Asian market.”