US-ASEAN Business Council and Asian Development Bank Co-Host Partners' Night to Kick Off 12th ADB Business Opportunities Fair

Manila, Philippines – On October 8, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and the U.S. Executive Director’s Office of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) co-hosted the Partners’ Night on the eve of the ADB’s 12th Business Opportunities Fair (BOF). The event convened around 100 attendees, including senior officials from the Philippine government, multilateral institutions, the diplomatic corps, development institutions, and the private sector, to foster greater cooperation and economic growth across the ASEAN region.

The gathering served as a platform for U.S. businesses, senior government officials, and ADB representatives to engage in discussions aimed at advancing development initiatives. It also set the stage for deeper U.S. private sector participation in ADB’s development initiatives, which span key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, technology, healthcare, and agriculture. This collaboration underscores the importance of U.S. involvement in multilateral development, reinforcing the strategic partnership between the United States and ASEAN while strengthening U.S.-Philippine relations through shared goals of sustainable growth and regional stability.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Chantale Wong, the U.S. Executive Director to the ADB, emphasized the importance of U.S. businesses establishing a local presence in the ASEAN region and forming strategic partnerships to enhance their opportunities with the ADB. She urged attendees to "leverage the Business Opportunities Fair as a networking haven" and "seek out partnerships that both complement and elevate your strengths," highlighting USABC’s crucial role in facilitating these connections and promoting economic growth across ASEAN.

Florina “Binggay” Vistal, the Council’s Chief Representative in the Philippines, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to further strengthen collaborations between U.S. businesses and the ADB. She remarked, “The Council greatly appreciates our ongoing partnership with the Asian Development Bank. We look forward to further strengthening this partnership, given the strong interest of our member companies in collaborating with the bank’s programs, not only in ASEAN but across all ADB member countries.”

The Partners’ Night was supported by Mastercard and Jhpiego. This event served as a prelude to the official kickoff of the ADB’s 12th BOF taking place from October 9 to 10, 2024. The fair will showcase procurement opportunities and project collaborations across multiple sectors, offering a platform for businesses to engage with key decision-makers and stakeholders committed to advancing development across Asia.