PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

11 February 2025, WOLLONGONG - Philippine Ambassador to Australia, H.E. Antonio Morales, joined ASEAN Ambassadors and Consuls General in a visit to Wollongong on 06 February 2025 to engage in a series of discussions and tours that explored opportunities in education, trade, investment, and clean energy.

The visit, organized by Investment NSW and led by NSW Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment Anoulack Chanthivong, aimed to strengthen ties between ASEAN and Australia while promoting collaboration in key sectors such as transnational education, research partnerships, and sustainable growth.

The program commenced with a roundtable at the University of Wollongong (UOW), where the university showcased its ASEAN engagement and initiatives for transnational education. Ambassador Morales expressed interest in collaboration with the UOW to explore transnational education partnerships in the Philippines.

Ambassador Morales also attended the ASEAN Market Update for NSW Business, a key business event featuring distinguished speakers such as Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong MP, NSW Minister for Industry and Trade, Emma Lo Russo, CEO of Digivizer, Yaser Siddiqui, Export Sales Manager at Australian Health Vitality, and Leigh Howard, CEO of Asialink Business. The discussions underscored the remarkable growth prospects of ASEAN as one of the world’s largest trading blocs as well as the vast opportunities within its diverse markets.

In particular, Mr. Siddiqui shared the success story of Australian Health Vitality’s entry into the Philippine market. He highlighted the company's positive experience with local partners and the immense potential he sees in Manila and across the country. He emphasized that the Philippines offers an attractive business environment for Australian companies, driven by its vibrant consumer market and growing middle class.

Ambassador Morales took the opportunity to share the Philippine government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for investments, innovation, and collaboration.

Ambassador Morales also toured the Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub to gain a deeper understanding of Australia’s clean energy initiatives. Led by Nigel McKinnon, Deputy Director of Regional Economic Development at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the tour focused on the hydrogen hub’s potential to become a key player in the global energy transition.

ASEAN is New South Wales' second-largest trading partner, with two-way trade in goods growing by over 9% in 2024. Southeast Asia is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2040, driven by its favorable demographics, rapid industrialization, urbanization, and significant advancements in technology. - END