From 2–5 September, the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Philippines (ANZCHAM) led its 2025 Outbound Mission to Australia, bringing 16 organizations and over 30 Philippine delegates to Melbourne and Brisbane for the ANZCham Australia Roadshow. The mission set out with a clear goal: to bridge the gap between Australian investors’ perceptions and the realities of investing in Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines.
Through our government partners — the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and TIEZA-TEZ Management Sector — and delegation members including Cloudstaff, DysrupIT, Genfinity, iQor, Philippine Airlines, ISSI Corp, nXscale, Penbrothers, StB Giga Factory, Inc., and SYSGEN RPO, the Philippines showcased its strengths as the region’s fastest-growing economy, with a young, English-proficient, skilled workforce and a rapidly expanding middle class.
From the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Business Chamber Queensland (BCQ), and Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), we heard insights on how Australia can support this growth through partnerships, training initiatives, and a focus on building long-term relationships tailored to market needs.
Australia’s Invested: Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 continues to guide this engagement. Initiatives such as the Southeast Asia Business Exchange, Landing Pads program, and Deal Teams are already being rolled out by Austrade and DFAT to encourage more Australian investment into Southeast Asia.
On the Philippines side, the BOI presented its vision of steering the country toward a $1 trillion economy by 2033, SBMA highlighted the presence of 23 Australian firms already in Subic, and TIEZA outlined tourism investment opportunities with Australia as the top inbound market.
At the CEO Roundtable, we had the privilege of being joined by notable guests, including:
- Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism; Special Minister of State
- Jesus (Gary) R. S. Domingo, Philippine Consul General in Melbourne
- Dr Paul Grimes PSM, CEO, Austrade
- Justin McGowan, CEO, TIQ
The Roadshow concluded with a shared recognition: the future of prosperity lies in partnership. Australia and the Philippines are not just neighbors in the region; they are natural partners whose strengths complement each other. By connecting businesses, governments, and chambers, we are shaping a roadmap that will turn opportunities into investments, and investments into shared prosperity.
The Philippines is ready. Australia is willing. Together, both nations are building the bridges for a stronger, more dynamic bilateral relationship.
