01 April 2026, Seoul - Philippine-Korea Economic Council Executive Board ((PHILKOREC EB) officials, led by its Chair, Atty. Fabian Delos Santos, called on Ambassador Bernadette Therese Fernandez at the Sentro Rizal Conference Hall of the Philippine Embassy.  The PHILKOREC EB, along with other executives and key officers from various Philippine business sectors, including services, hospitality and tourism, construction, hotels and resorts, consulting, manpower, airlines, and healthcare and wellness, were in the ROK from 30 March to 03 April to participate in the 2026 Korea Business Expo Gangseo.  The Expo is a strategic platform organized by the World Federation of Overseas Korean Economic and Traders Associations (World-OKTA), which coincidentally celebrated its 45th Anniversary this year.  The business expo provided international businessmen with the opportunity to engage leading Korean enterprises, exchange market insights and explore partnerships.

During the meeting, Ambassador Fernandez provided the business group with an overview of PH-ROK relations, noting the growing bilateral relations over the years.  The meeting also noted the growing business relations between the two countries, including possible cooperation in the agriculture sector, investments in the food service and fast-food restaurant sector, and cooperation in the utilities and energy sector.  Tourism is also another pillar of the PH-ROK bilateral relations, fostering sustained people-to-people exchanges.  

The Philippine Embassy’s support of trade missions to the ROK was acknowledged by the business delegation.  They stated that the business matching activities at the Korea Business Expo were conducted seamlessly resulting in successful outcomes for these meetings.

After the meeting with the PHILKOREC EB, the undersigned, also met with officials of the Philippine Young Entrepreneurs Association (PYEA), the group selected by the DTI to represent the Philippines in the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Council. Mr. Siraj Ballesteros Murad, PYEA VP for Finance and Treasurer, explained that aside from joining the PHILKOREC Trade Mission, the group was in the ROK to invite ROK young entrepreneurs to attend the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Carnival in Manila November 2026. - END