US-ASEAN Business Council commits support for PH chairship of ASEAN

The United States-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Council (US-ABC) reiterated its commitment to support the incoming chairship by the Philippines of the ASEAN-Business Advisory Council Philippines (ASEAN-BAC PH).

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In a meeting on Aug. 13 held on the sidelines of a reception hosted by US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson for the USABC's visiting business delegation, USABC president and CEO Ambassador Theodore George Osius III met with ASEAN-BAC Philippine chair Joey Concepcion.

In a statement, the USABC expressed its commitment to work closely with the ASEAN-BAC PH as it prepares to assume the chairmanship of the ASEAN-BAC next year.

"Ambassador Osius noted Concepcion's passion for MSMEs development, as he expressed strong support for the Philippines' ASEAN Chairship in 2026," the statement read.

He expressed this support after Concepcion shared the outcomes of the ASEAN-BAC PH's productive meeting with ASEAN memberstates and dialogue partners, where he also highlighted his priority programs: MSME development and agriculture and food security.

In particular, the envoy said the USABC would work closely with ASEAN-BAC on agriculture and food security, saying that "it would encourage US companies to explore partnerships in smart farming and agritech."

"He also conveyed keen interest in ASEAN-BAC initiatives on digital technology and artificial intelligence, and agreed to collaborate with ASEAN-BAC PH for the MSME Summit in 2026," it added.