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Concepcion: Young entrepreneurs need experience, mentorship, favorable policy

[October 12, 2026 — Pasay City, MANILA] - The chair of ASEAN’s premier private sector body encouraged young entrepreneurs to build experience and seek out mentors to guide them in succeeding in business, and the private sector will work to put in place a policy environment favorable to small, upstart businesses. Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III, chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), gave this advice to more than 8,000 young entrepreneurs at the ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (AYES), held last October 13, 2026 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“The challenges that an entrepreneur faces are immense… Some of you are in this room today, either as a mentor or as a mentee, and this is what I believe will take our country forward,” said the ASEAN-BAC chair and Go Negosyo founder.

ASEAN-BAC provides business insights and recommendations to ASEAN Leaders, and serves as the primary platform for the private sector to engage with policymakers, advocate for economic cooperation, and advance ASEAN’s integration agenda. Go Negosyo has, for more than two decades now, advocated for Filipino entrepreneurs’ access to capital, mentoring, and markets.

Concepcion said that ASEAN-BAC Philippines, which he also chairs, will advance four areas that can move policy to help young entrepreneurs. These include digital transformation and innovation; MSME development and inclusive growth; the creative industries, tourism and technology; and sustainable development and the green economy.

The AYES also marked the launch of the ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurship Action Agenda to address priorities including financing, mentorship, digital innovation and cross-border trade. Concepcion said that the insights gathered from the dialogues with the young entrepreneurs will be included in the recommendations to ASEAN leaders at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit on November 14 and 15. 

AYES brought together young entrepreneurs, startup founders, policymakers, and business leaders from across the Philippines and Southeast Asia. It was organized by SM Cares, the Global Peace Foundation, and the ASEAN-BAC, and promoted youth entrepreneurship as a driver of innovation, employment, and inclusive regional growth. 

AYES featured a dialogue between youth leaders and members of the Council on issues facing today’s generation of young entrepreneurs. Following the dialogue was a panel with rising young ASEAN entrepreneurs such as Loomworks Studio’s Andrew Chan; Green Beli Farm’s Tran Thai Binh; But First, Coffee’s Anna Magalona-Go; Kyukyu Ramen 99’s Luigi Pimentel, and Eight8Ate’s Vincent Conti. Their experiences in entrepreneurship provided practical advice and insight for their fellow young entrepreneurs. 

A fireside chat with Undersecretary Jeff Ortega of the National Youth Congress, and Charmaine Co of the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Council highlighted the various support systems available to young entrepreneurs. Closing the program were inspirational messages from EcoUling founder Aya Fernandez and Jollibee CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong, who called on the youth to take courage and have faith to go through with their dreams of entrepreneurship. 

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ABOUT ASEAN-BAC PH

The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN‑BAC) is the region’s principal private sector advisory body, providing business insights and recommendations to ASEAN Leaders. It serves as the primary platform for the private sector to engage with policymakers, advocate for economic cooperation, and advance ASEAN’s integration agenda. It was founded in 2001. 

In 2026, ASEAN-BAC Philippines, led by Joey Concepcion alongside council members George Barcelon and Michael Tan, is the chair and host of the Council and its Dialogue Partners, ensuring that private sector priorities are integrated into regional economic development and policy initiatives.

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MEDIA NOTE: All interview requests related to ASEAN-BAC PHILIPPINES should be directed to the ASEAN-BAC PH Communications Manager, at josenatividad@gonegosyo.ph

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Published

October 13, 2026 at 03:53 PM

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CONCEPCION: ASEAN 2026 HOSTING MEANS PH IS READY AND OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Press Release

February 24, 2026, 06:40 PM

CONCEPCION: ASEAN 2026 HOSTING MEANS PH IS READY AND OPEN FOR BUSINESS

As the Philippines prepares to host the annual ASEAN Summits this year, the leader of the private sector’s ASEAN representation believes that the international event presents an opportunity for the country to prove its readiness to do business with the rest of the world.“Coming on the heels of a year marked by corruption scandals, ASEAN 2026 offers the Philippines a timely chance to demonstrate our commitment to reform, accountability, and good governance,” said Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III, the chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN–BAC) for 2026. ASEAN–BAC is the official private-sector voice in ASEAN, mandated to promote regional economic integration and strengthen cooperation between business and government.A ceremony this January 29, 2026 at the Malacañang Palace will mark the official handover of the ASEAN–BAC chairship from Malaysia to the Philippines. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will be witnessing the turnover and delivering the keynote message, elevating the occasion to a state-level event and reflecting the Philippine Government’s strong support and leadership in public-private collaboration.

TEAM ASEAN 2026

In the photo are (from left) ASEAN–BAC council member George Barcelon, First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos, Concepcion, the President, Marissa Concepcion, and ASEAN–BAC council member Michael Tan.

PHILIPPINES ASSUMES 2026 CHAIRSHIP OF ASEAN-BAC AT MALAYSIA HANDOVER CEREMONIES

The Philippines officially assumed the 2026 Chairship of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) last October 26, 2025, as ASEAN-BAC Malaysia handed over leadership of the regional body which provides private sector feedback and guidance to boost ASEAN’s efforts towards economic integration and identifies priority areas for consideration by ASEAN Leaders.The ASEAN-BAC Philippines delegation, headed by its chair Jose Ma. Concepcion III, and council members George Barcelon and Michael Tan, traveled to Kuala Lumpur tor the handover ceremonies held as the highlight of the ASEAN-BAC Events and Related Summits held from October 24 to 27, including the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit and the ASEAN Business Awards, and the inaugural ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit. The events are held alongside the 47th ASEAN Summit, which gathers the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.The ASEAN-BAC Philippines is expected to build on the theme “Prosperity for All”, its guiding theme at its last chairship in 2017. “There has been plenty of exchanging of ideas, and I am glad to hear how some resonate with my own views of the role of ASEAN and the private sector in bringing about inclusive, sustainable growth,” said Concepcion. “As we take on this new role, our goal is to build on this momentum, empowering MSMEs and strengthening partnerships that drive inclusive growth and food security across the region. Together, we can ensure that the ASEAN spirit of unity, innovation, and entrepreneurship continues to thrive,” said Concepcion.