Working with Embassies and Business Councils
The Makati Business Club’s Global Program aims to convene representatives from local and international government, business, and diplomatic corps to promote bilateral business opportunities, ideas, and policies that support an innovative and competitive economy.
GLOBAL ACTIVITIES
Courtesy Calls
General Membership Meetings
Roundtable Discussions
Economic Briefings
RECENT ACTIVITIES
FOREIGN LEADERS SERIES
Canada
The Ambassador’s keynote covered bilateral merchandise trade in 2024 that totaled CAD$ 3.1 billion, with Canada investing CAD$ 844 million in the Philippines, which reciprocated with CAD$ 48 million in investments. Canada also opened its first Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila in February 2024. Finally, the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is currently in concluding negotiations, while Canada is discussing a parallel bilateral FTA with the Philippine government.
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European Union
European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Massimo Santoro expressed his support to sustain the momentum of negotiations for an EU-Philippines bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Initially paused in 2017, the talks resumed in October 2024 and February 2025, with expectations for further progress to be made in the next round of discussion set to happen in June of this year in Brussels.
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Japan
Japan Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Endo Kazuya expressed optimism that Japanese investments in the Philippines will increase with the passage of the CREATE MORE Act last year. The Ambassador also identified energy, infrastructure, and security as areas where bilateral cooperation is being deepened. On the trilateral partnership of the US, Japan, and the Philippines.
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Vietnam (2024)
On October 29, Vietnam Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Lai Thai Binh, met with MBC members in the first installment of MBC’s Foreign Leaders series. The ambassador engaged in an open discussion moderated by MBC Global Ideas Committee chair, Ambe Tierro, on the potential areas of collaboration between the Philippines and Vietnam.
EMBASSY ENGAGEMENTS
COURTESY CALLS
EVENTS AND BRIEFINGS
[15 March 2024] MBC organized back-to-back meetings on regional investment and challenges with representatives from the Japanese Government and a US security consultancy firm.
[12 March 2024] MBC had an Economic Briefing for Enterprise with Singapore. This briefing serves to align both parties on updates and information about economic data, trends, and forecast related to enterprise.
BUSINESS COUNCILS
MBC is secretariat to five foreign business councils: France, Malaysia, Singapore, U.K., and the U.S. The councils convene key representatives from government, business, and the diplomatic corps to promote bilateral business opportunities, ideas, and policies that support an innovative and competitive economy.
FILIPINO YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM (FYLPRO)
In November 2024, MBC, PUBC, AmCham, and Ayala Foundation hosted a Joint Networking Cocktails for the 11th batch of Filipino-American Young Leaders Delegation (FYLPRO).
In August 2023, MBC, in partnership with the Ayala Foundation and the American Chamber for Commerce co-organized the annual FYLPRO Welcome Luncheon.
On November 2022, MBC and PUBC hosted a lunch reception and 5-time Hugo Award Winner Michi Trota and Lev Labs Manager Michelle Amor was the keynote speaker