Seoul: The ASEAN Trade Fair 2025, a pivotal event for businesses across the ASEAN region, including the Philippines, was inaugurated at the KINTEX Exhibition Center on Friday. The event is set to showcase the potential of ASEAN businesses and foster deeper economic ties with South Korea.
According to Philippines News Agency, the ceremonial opening was led by ASEAN-Korea Center Secretary General Kim Jae-shin, accompanied by ambassadors from ASEAN member countries, including Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Bernadette Therese Fernandez. The officials toured the booths, sampling a variety of products from ASEAN exhibitors, highlighting the diverse offerings from the region.
Charmaine Mignon Yalong, Commercial Attach© at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Seoul, shared in an interview that ten Filipino companies are participating in the trade fair from November 12 to 16. These companies include La Carlota Food Enterprise, Fruits of Life Inc., Pearl International Inc., among others. Yalong emphasized the importance of the trade fair as a platform for showcasing products and innovations and for establishing new business connections.
“So, the relationship has always been there. We welcome a lot of investments from Korea, especially in high-value sectors like manufacturing, real estate activities, administrative services, even tourism and retail,” Yalong stated, underscoring the strong ties between the Philippines and South Korea strengthened by the Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
Yalong further explained that the Philippine Trade Investment Center (PTIC), in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy in South Korea, is focused on expanding market access to Korea. The PTIC facilitates business-to-business matching and provides guidance on food safety, product registration, and other country-specific requirements.
The Philippines is also working to create a more investor-friendly environment, with an emphasis on sectors like renewable energy, manufacturing, and technology. Yalong highlighted the recently enacted CREATE MORE law, which enhances investor incentives, and mentioned Samsung as its first beneficiary following an agreement with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.
The Marcos administration is actively improving regulatory frameworks, such as the PPP Code and the right-of-way bill, and has implemented a ‘green lane’ system for strategic investments. This system ensures streamlined processes and faster coordination among government agencies, making market entry easier for investors.
Yalong also highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between the Philippines and South Korea, noting the Philippines’ role during the Korean War and the continued strong exchange of tourists and students between the two countries. This enduring relationship is reflected in the mutual fondness for each other’s products and cultural offerings, demonstrating the vibrant ties that continue to flourish.
