The Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO), represented by its President Dr. Asif Iqbal, participated in a series of strategic ASEAN engagements in Manila, Philippines, on September 22, 2026, as part of a high-level Indian delegation led by Shri Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The delegation included representatives from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and senior members of the Indian business community, with discussions focused on expanding trade, investment and commercial cooperation between India, the Philippines and the wider ASEAN region.
IETO’s participation provided an opportunity to engage with key Philippine institutions and business stakeholders on areas of mutual economic interest. During the programme, the delegation held discussions with the Philippines Investment Zone Authority (PIZA), including its Secretary General, on investment opportunities and avenues for Indian companies looking to expand their presence in the Philippines. A formal interaction was also held with Ms. Cristina Aldeguer Roque, Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, covering opportunities to strengthen commercial relations and encourage greater business interaction between the two countries.
The delegation also met H.E. Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, at the Embassy of India in Manila. The Ambassador addressed the delegation and spoke about the importance of stronger economic relations between India and the Philippines, particularly through greater participation from the private sector and closer institutional engagement.
As part of the programme, the delegation visited Indian enterprises operating in Manila and toured the Bambi food manufacturing plant. The visit offered an insight into the potential for cooperation in manufacturing, food processing and agriculture, while discussions also examined opportunities in trade and commerce, investment promotion, technology transfer and skill development. These sectors offer several areas where Indian companies and Philippine businesses can explore partnerships, market access and knowledge exchange.
The delegation included Ms. Kamla Jeswani, Vice President for Trade and Domestic Relations, FICCI Philippines; Mr. Vishal Vishnu Hathiramani, President, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil.) Inc.; Mr. Puran Chand Dawar, Chairman, Dawar Footwear Industries and Leader of the Federation Delegation; Dato’ Seri N. Gobalakrishnan, Chairman, ASEAN-India; Mr. Joey Concepcion, Chairman, ASEAN Business Advisory Council; and Shri Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
For IETO, the Manila engagement forms part of its continuing international outreach aimed at connecting Indian businesses with governments, chambers, diplomatic missions and industry networks across emerging markets. The organisation has been engaged in a series of international initiatives, including its upcoming delegation to the European Parliament in Brussels for discussions on India–EU trade and Southeast Asian economic relations, participation in the annual IMF–World Bank meetings in Bangkok, and business and diplomatic engagements with Timor-Leste and Suriname.
IETO also facilitated an interaction with H.E. Augusto Júnior, Vice Minister of Commerce and Industries of Timor-Leste, during the Manila programme, creating another channel for dialogue on trade and economic cooperation. Separately, discussions with the Embassy of Suriname have explored potential areas of collaboration in the energy sector, reflecting IETO’s wider efforts to identify opportunities for Indian businesses in new and emerging markets.
Dr. Asif Iqbal, President, IETO, said, “ASEAN remains an important region for India’s economic engagement, and the Philippines offers significant opportunities for businesses across manufacturing, agriculture, technology, services and investment. Our discussions in Manila have helped us understand the priorities of our counterparts and identify areas where Indian and Southeast Asian businesses can work together. IETO will continue to facilitate these conversations and create platforms that can lead to practical and long-term commercial partnerships.”
India’s economic relationship with ASEAN has developed across trade, investment, manufacturing, technology, services and supply chains, making Southeast Asia an important market for Indian enterprises. Engagements such as the Manila meetings provide businesses with direct access to institutions and potential partners while allowing stakeholders to discuss practical issues surrounding investment, market entry and cross-border cooperation.
The Manila programme also highlighted the value of continued interaction between government institutions, chambers and the private sector. As businesses across India and ASEAN explore new markets and partnerships, sustained dialogue can help identify areas of complementarity and create greater opportunities for investment and commercial cooperation.
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