PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

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

04 September 2025, ADELAIDE / CANBERRA – The Philippine Embassy in Australia reaffirmed its strong support for the 50th anniversary of the Australia- Philippines Business Council (APBC), a milestone celebrated through two major events in August and September 2025. The celebrations highlighted the long-standing partnership between the Philippines and Australia and the growing potential for trade, investment, and socio-cultural collaboration.

The first event took place on 25 August 2025 in Adelaide, where the APBC hosted a forum in collaboration with the Philippine-Australia Business Council (PABC). APBC President Rafael Toda emphasized the Council’s achievements in education and skills development, energy, agriculture, and resources, in alignment with Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. He also highlighted initiatives such as the Southeast Asia Biosecurity Institute (SABI), which aims to address biosecurity challenges affecting trade.

PABC Chairman Dennis Quintero underscored the importance of government-private sector collaboration, citing reforms in the Philippine mining sector that improved the country’s ranking on the Fraser Institute’s mining investment attractiveness index from 72nd in 2023 to 16th in 2024.

In his keynote address, Philippine Ambassador to Australia H.E. Antonio Morales spotlighted the Philippines’ status as the second fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the country’s abundant mineral resources, rapidly expanding digital economy, and strategic geographic location for logistics and investment. Ambassador Morales discussed opportunities for Australian businesses in agriculture, renewable energy, education, and mining, including the SABI initiative to expand Philippine exports to Australia.

The September 2025 event at Parliament House in Canberra, organized in partnership with Federal Member for Bean David Smith MP, further marked the APBC’s 50th anniversary. The event was attended by business leaders, members of the Filipino communit representatives, and government officials, including Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Don Farrell, Minister for International Development and Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly MP, and Chair of the PH-AU Parliamentary Friendship Group Luke Gosling.

At the Canberra event, Ambassador Morales again emphasized the importance of government-private sector synergy in driving trade and investment, as well as the celebration of the Philippines’ 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Australia in 2026. He highlighted the Philippines’ high demand for wheat, barley, and dairy, the opening of its renewable energy sector to 100% foreign investment, and the country’s untapped mineral wealth, including gold, copper, nickel, and chromite.

Minister Farrell, Mr. Gosling, and Mr. Smith also delivered remarks celebrating the strong economic, social, and cultural ties between the two countries. Minister Farrell reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Philippines and Australia’s commitment to deepening trade and investment links. Mr. Gosling recognized the contributions of Filipinos in sectors such as healthcare, education, and business, while Mr. Smith highlighted initiatives promoting Filipino language and culture in Canberra.

The APBC is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to maximizing trade and investment opportunities between Australia and the Philippines. The APBC is the private sector entity recognised by the relevant bodies of both the Australian and Philippine governments. - END