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Press Release
2026 U.S. BUSINESS MISSION TO THE PHILIPPINES LAUNCHED IN CHICAGO
Left to Right: Ms. Mae Espina, President of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Greater
Chicago (PACCGC), Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano, Trade Commissioner Alma F. Argayoso and
Mr. Jan Paul Ferrer, PACCGC Vice President launching the 2026 U.S. Business Mission to the
Philippines (Chicago PCG photo)
CHICAGO 18 March 2026– Following the 11 February 2026 kickoff in New York, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, New York (PTIC-New York) launched the 2026 U.S. Business Mission to the Philippines at Harbor Point in Chicago on 17 March 2026. The event was conducted in partnership with the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago (PACCGC).
Titled “Investing Forward: Philippine Economic Outlook and Launching of U.S. Business Mission to the Philippines,” the event brought together Chicago-based business leaders, prospective investors and Filipino-American professionals for a discussion on the PHL economy and investment opportunities in connection with the business mission scheduled for July 2026.
The program featured a Philippine Economic Outlook segment, with Dr. Ronilo Balbieran, senior economist and professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific, emphasizing the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, investment-grade credit ratings and young population, through a recorded presentation. For his part, Mr. Jan Paul Ferrer, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Management Director at Morgan Stanley, shared his clients’ experiences in establishing businesses in the PHL, noting that the process has become more investor-friendly with incentives available for foreign investors.
Following the briefing, Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano and Trade Commissioner Alma F. Argayoso led the ceremonial launch of the mission, joined by Ms. Mae Espina, PACCGC President, and Mr. Jan Paul Ferrer, who is also a Vice President of the PACCGC. The video message from Amb. Romualdez was then played encouraging U.S. businesses to participate in the mission as a way of strengthening bilateral ties, in line with the celebration of the 80th anniversary of PHL-U.S. relations this year.
Slated for 06-10 July 2026, the U.S. Business Mission will feature visits to the flagship Luzon Economic Corridor (Manila, Clark, and Subic) and Palawan for high-level briefings, business-to-business (B2B) meetings and engagements with key PHL government and private-sector partners. U.S. companies interested in joining the mission may apply through PTIC-New York until 30 April 2026 via newyork@dti.gov.ph. END
Trade Commissioner Alma F. Argayoso delivering the Opening Remarks
(Chicago PCG photo)
Mr. Jan Paul Ferrer discussing his clients’ pleasant experiences in starting a business in the PHL
(Chicago PCG photo)
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano and Trade Commissioner Alma F. Argayoso awarding
a token of appreciation to Ms. Mae Espina, PACCGC President (Chicago PCG photo)
Left to Right: Ms. Mae Espina, President of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Greater
Chicago (PACCGC), Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano, Trade Commissioner Alma F. Argayoso and
Mr. Jan Paul Ferrer, PACCGC Vice President launching the 2026 U.S. Business Mission to the
Philippines (Chicago PCG photo)
CHICAGO 18 March 2026– Following the 11 February 2026 kickoff in New York, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, New York (PTIC-New York) launched the 2026 U.S. Business Mission to the Philippines at Harbor Point in Chicago on 17 March 2026. The event was conducted in partnership with the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago (PACCGC).
Titled “Investing Forward: Philippine Economic Outlook and Launching of U.S. Business Mission to the Philippines,” the event brought together Chicago-based business leaders, prospective investors and Filipino-American professionals for a discussion on the PHL economy and investment opportunities in connection with the business mission scheduled for July 2026.
The program featured a Philippine Economic Outlook segment, with Dr. Ronilo Balbieran, senior economist and professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific, emphasizing the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, investment-grade credit ratings and young population, through a recorded presentation. For his part, Mr. Jan Paul Ferrer, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Management Director at Morgan Stanley, shared his clients’ experiences in establishing businesses in the PHL, noting that the process has become more investor-friendly with incentives available for foreign investors.
Following the briefing, Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano and Trade Commissioner Alma F. Argayoso led the ceremonial launch of the mission, joined by Ms. Mae Espina, PACCGC President, and Mr. Jan Paul Ferrer, who is also a Vice President of the PACCGC. The video message from Amb. Romualdez was then played encouraging U.S. businesses to participate in the mission as a way of strengthening bilateral ties, in line with the celebration of the 80th anniversary of PHL-U.S. relations this year.
Slated for 06-10 July 2026, the U.S. Business Mission will feature visits to the flagship Luzon Economic Corridor (Manila, Clark, and Subic) and Palawan for high-level briefings, business-to-business (B2B) meetings and engagements with key PHL government and private-sector partners. U.S. companies interested in joining the mission may apply through PTIC-New York until 30 April 2026 via newyork@dti.gov.ph. END
Trade Commissioner Alma F. Argayoso delivering the Opening Remarks
(Chicago PCG photo)
Mr. Jan Paul Ferrer discussing his clients’ pleasant experiences in starting a business in the PHL
(Chicago PCG photo)
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano and Trade Commissioner Alma F. Argayoso awarding
a token of appreciation to Ms. Mae Espina, PACCGC President (Chicago PCG photo)