Signal ASEAN Tech Summit 2026 opens in Manila, pushes borderless digital economy

Summary

The ASEAN Tech Summit 2026 opened on Tuesday at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Newport City, Pasay, in Manila. Policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, and technology leaders and innovators gathered from across Southeast Asia to discuss digital trade, fintech, AI, cross-border payments, and the future of the region's digital economy. In his keynote address, ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines Chair Jose Ma. Concepcion III called for a more inclusive and borderless ASEAN digital economy. He stressed that the region's digital transformation must create opportunities for underrepresented groups, including micro, small, and medium enterprises and women entrepreneurs. Concepcion noted that many people running micro businesses are women and said they are the people who most need support. He added that technology has become a powerful equalizer, giving entrepreneurs greater access to markets, digital finance, and new business opportunities.