IN a significant show of support for renewed momentum behind the European Union-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (EU-PH FTA) negotiations, top-level executives, diplomats, government officials, thought leaders, and key stakeholders from the public and private sectors convened for the 2025 European-Philippine Business Dialogue (EPBD) and European Investors’ Night held at Raffles and Fairmont Makati City, on Oct. 16, 2025.
Organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and the EU-Asean Business Council (EU-ABC), this year’s theme was “Keeping the Philippine Centrestage,” in reference to the country’s increasing relevance as a vibrant hub for trade and investment in Southeast Asia.
“As negotiations for the EU-Philippine Free Trade Agreement resume next week, the Philippines is at a crucial juncture to strengthen its trade, investment, relationship with one of its key economic partners,” ECCP President Paulo Duarte emphasized the significance of the upcoming trade discussions between the European Union and the Philippines.
EU-PH PARTNERSHIP (From left) Jaime Urquijo, chief sustainability and risk officer, Ayala Corporation; Tony Peralta, chairman, ECCP Southern Mindanao Business Council; Lars Wittig, ECCP vice president, senior vice president-APAC IWG Plc; Paulo Duarte, ECCP president and managing director, Robert Bosch Inc; Frederick Go, special assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs; EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro; Sharon Toh, vice chairman and treasurer, EU-Asean Business Council, head of Asean, Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication; Florian Gottein, ECCP executive director; Juha-Pekka Hoikka, managing director/Airbus chief representative, Philippines Airbus Helicopters Philippines Inc; Tarang Gupta, managing director, Alaska Milk; and Albert Perez, ECCP treasurer and founder/CEO, Paul Morgann. PHOTO FROM ECCP
Echoing this sentiment, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro shared a message from the EU Delegation in Manila.
“Let’s continue to work hand-in-hand, to build not just stronger economies, but also a shared future. One that is prosperous, green and inclusive,” he said.
Other speakers included Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments executive director Evariste Cagatan, ECCP executive director Florian Gottein, Anti-Red Tape Authority deputy director general for Operations Lea Grace Salcedo, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, PMFTC Inc. board member Michael Tan, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Department of Finance Fiscal Policy and Monitoring Group Undersecretary Karlo Fermin Adriano, and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go in behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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