PH leads launching of ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) brought together a distinguished group of people whose mix of youthful energy and business know-how can help transform industries across the entire ASEAN region.

The ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Carnival, held September 5 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, was an official event under the ASEAN Committee on Business and Investment Promotion led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and set as an avenue of the official launching of the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association.

“Young entrepreneurs in ASEAN are well-positioned to utilize and promote new technologies to drive future economic growth and job creation in a rapidly changing global economic and social environment,” said Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez.

Secretary Lopez noted that young people’s contribution to trade and business is becoming significant to national and regional development, as more young people are closely engaged in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines ad ASEAN member count r i es.

“We believe that these entrepreneurs with their youthful energy, they can drive great impact in their businesses and therefore help provide open more job opportunities,” Secretary Lopez added.

With the success of 1st ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Carnival in Kuala Lumpur in 2016, AYEC pushes forward its commitment in reaching out to more young business people across the region and create opportunities for business and networking.

The ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association was formally launched now that the ASEAN Community celebrates 50 years from foundation under the hosting of the Philippines this year.

Young entrepreneurs aged between 18 to 25 attended the summit, and got opportunities to network and participate in dialogues with other young business people across the ASEAN and other partners, such as China, India, Australia and the USA.

“As a platform for the business owners, students, aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, and other stake holders, The AYE Carnival gave the delegates an avenue to connect, interact, build relationships

and network with regional linkages,” Secretary Lopez pointed out. The program agenda included plenary talks by keynote speakers, interactive panels and workshops, symposium, awards and networking. The sessions also helped the delegates tap the challenges of entrepreneurship in the basic pillars such as access to finance, market, leadership, technology and networking through a pre-carnival survey. (Press Release)