The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Paris (PTIC-Paris)—its representative office based in France covering Italy—advances the Philippines’ trade and investment agenda centered on sustainable growth and industrial transformation in two side events of the 58th Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting held in Milan, Italy from 4 to 6 May 2025.
On 6 May 2025, PTIC-Paris, in partnership with the Department of Finance (DOF), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Philippine Embassy in Rome, the Philippine Consulate General in Milan, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (ICCPI), co-organized the inaugural Philippine Economic Dialogue (PED) in Milan. The event was held at the Allianz MiCo Milan Convention Center as a side event of the 58th ADB Annual Meeting.
The PED in Milan, originally envisioned as a medium-sized roundtable meeting, blew up to be a bigger event thanks to the interest of many, leading to opening the event to and gathering more than 100 participants from Italian, European, and global corporate executives; strategic and institutional partners; and targeted stakeholders.
Department of Development, Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan led the delegation of high-level officials in presenting the country’s macroeconomic performance, structural reforms, and investment priorities, among others. The presentation highlighted the Philippines’ rising market scale and opportunities; as a gateway to ASEAN and beyond with its vast market and market access networks; infrastructure flagship projects and investments in renewable energy; fast-expanding digital economy and steady remittance inflows; strength in the ASEAN region; strong and healthy economic outlook; sustained reforms, including the CREATE More Act, Luzon Economic Corridor, and the Public-Private Partnership Code, and of course, its main asset, the Filipino workforce.
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan was joined by Department of Budget Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman; The Philippine Ambassador to Italy Nathaniel Imperial, BSP Assistant Governor Zeno Abenoja, DOF Undersecretary Domini Velasquez, Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Asis Perez, PTIC-Paris Commercial Counsellor and Director Katrina Banzon, and ADB National Director for the Philippines Pavit Ramachandran. Lombardy Region of Italy Undersecretary for International and European Relations Raffaele Cattaneo was invited as a Reactor, while ADB Director General, Southeast Asian Department Winfried Wicklein delivered the Closing Remarks.
Undersecretary Raffaele Cattaneo recognized the important role of the Filipinos in the Italian society and acknowledged that events such as the PED in Milan serve as an excellent venue to shape the image of the Philippines – one that is progressive and abounding with opportunities.
Several business leads were advanced during the PED in Milan. These are in the areas of agri-business, infrastructure development, data centers, and finance.
The DTI, through its overseas offices such as PTIC-Paris, continues to promote the Philippines as a competitive, suitable, and responsible investment destination and a hub in ASEAN for companies in Italy, Europe, or wherever in the world your company may be. ♦
Date of Release: 19 May 2025