Iloilo City hosted the 49th High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI), bringing together top officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
DTI Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty said the event highlights Iloilo as a growing trade, tourism, and investment hub.
Through ASEAN, the Philippines has trade deals with China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong, giving local exporters wider market access.
The city’s rising role is backed by infrastructure upgrades, including the P2.35-billion modernization of the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex, now run by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.. In April 2025, the Visayas Container Terminal completed its first export shipment—15 containers of farm products to Singapore.
The meetings also boost business for local hotels, transport groups, and other enterprises.
Activities include the Roundtable on ASEAN Economic Security on Feb. 25 and the 49th HLTF-EI on Feb. 26–27, as the Philippines pushes stronger regional trade and economic cooperation.IMT
