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Press Release
MIDWEST DELEGATION JOINS U.S. BUSINESS MISSION TO THE PHILIPPINES
Participants posing for a group photo during a full-day investment program at the Subic Bay Exhibition
and Convention Center (PTIC-NY photo)
CHICAGO 28 July 2026– A five-member delegation from the U.S. Midwest joined the U.S. Business Mission to the Philippines from 06 to 10 July 2026 to explore trade, investment, and partnership opportunities across key growth sectors in the country. Organized by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center–New York (PTIC-NY), the mission brought together American business leaders and investors from the U.S. Northeast and the U.S. Midwest for a series of engagements in Manila, Clark, and Subic Bay as part of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of PHL–U.S. diplomatic relations. The Midwest delegation included Ms. Mae Espina, President of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago (PACCGC).
The mission kicked off in Manila with a series of investment forums, policy dialogues, business networking activities, and engagements with key government agencies and private sector stakeholders. Highlights included the opening business forum on future-ready economies, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, an executive session with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Investment Briefing and Strategic Business Forum. These engagements gave participants firsthand insights into the PHL's investment climate, economic reforms, priority industries, and emerging opportunities, while creating avenues for dialogue and collaboration to strengthen PHL–U.S. trade and investment relations.
The mission subsequently continued to Clark and Subic Bay, where delegates participated in investment briefings and networking engagements hosted by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). The program introduced participants to major infrastructure projects, economic zones, logistics hubs, and regional development initiatives, and provided opportunities to exchange views with government officials and industry stakeholders on the PHL's evolving investment ecosystem and long-term economic priorities.
Following the launch of the U.S. Business Mission to the Philippines in Chicago on 17 March 2026, the Consulate General actively promoted the program and encouraged business leaders, investors, and community partners across its consular jurisdiction to participate in the mission. The outreach formed part of the Consulate's continuing efforts to support economic diplomacy and facilitate business engagement between the PHL and the U.S. Midwest.
The mission likewise reflected the continuing collaboration among the Consulate General, the PTIC-NY and the PACCGC in promoting economic diplomacy initiatives in the U.S. Midwest. END
Participants touring Mabuhay Interflour Mill at Subic Bay Freeport Zone (Photo courtesy of Ms. Mae Espina)
Participants engaging in a business-to-business (B2B) meeting at SGV & Co. (PTIC-NY photo)
Participants attending a business forum hosted by SGV & Co. and BDO (Photo courtesy of Ms. Mae Espina)
Participants posing for a group photo during a full-day investment program at the Subic Bay Exhibition
and Convention Center (PTIC-NY photo)
CHICAGO 28 July 2026– A five-member delegation from the U.S. Midwest joined the U.S. Business Mission to the Philippines from 06 to 10 July 2026 to explore trade, investment, and partnership opportunities across key growth sectors in the country. Organized by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center–New York (PTIC-NY), the mission brought together American business leaders and investors from the U.S. Northeast and the U.S. Midwest for a series of engagements in Manila, Clark, and Subic Bay as part of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of PHL–U.S. diplomatic relations. The Midwest delegation included Ms. Mae Espina, President of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago (PACCGC).
The mission kicked off in Manila with a series of investment forums, policy dialogues, business networking activities, and engagements with key government agencies and private sector stakeholders. Highlights included the opening business forum on future-ready economies, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, an executive session with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Investment Briefing and Strategic Business Forum. These engagements gave participants firsthand insights into the PHL's investment climate, economic reforms, priority industries, and emerging opportunities, while creating avenues for dialogue and collaboration to strengthen PHL–U.S. trade and investment relations.
The mission subsequently continued to Clark and Subic Bay, where delegates participated in investment briefings and networking engagements hosted by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). The program introduced participants to major infrastructure projects, economic zones, logistics hubs, and regional development initiatives, and provided opportunities to exchange views with government officials and industry stakeholders on the PHL's evolving investment ecosystem and long-term economic priorities.
Following the launch of the U.S. Business Mission to the Philippines in Chicago on 17 March 2026, the Consulate General actively promoted the program and encouraged business leaders, investors, and community partners across its consular jurisdiction to participate in the mission. The outreach formed part of the Consulate's continuing efforts to support economic diplomacy and facilitate business engagement between the PHL and the U.S. Midwest.
The mission likewise reflected the continuing collaboration among the Consulate General, the PTIC-NY and the PACCGC in promoting economic diplomacy initiatives in the U.S. Midwest. END
Participants touring Mabuhay Interflour Mill at Subic Bay Freeport Zone (Photo courtesy of Ms. Mae Espina)
Participants engaging in a business-to-business (B2B) meeting at SGV & Co. (PTIC-NY photo)
Participants attending a business forum hosted by SGV & Co. and BDO (Photo courtesy of Ms. Mae Espina)