BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Across Asean, the agri-food sector is a major engine of economic development, said Board Member of the Asean Food and Beverage Alliance (AFBA) and vice president of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei Darussalam Abdul Halim Saim.
He added that it supports millions of jobs across farming, manufacturing, logistics, retail, and services; contributes to value-added output and government revenues; strengthens food security; and enables trade and investment by anchoring complex regional value chains.
He was speaking during the ‘Report Launch: The Economic Impact of the Agri-Food Sector in the Philippines – Food for Growth: Unlocking the Philippines’ Agri-Food Advantage’ in Makati City, Philippines.
For many Asean economies, the agri-food sector is also a critical pathway for small and medium enterprises to participate meaningfully in domestic and global markets, he added.
He noted that “The Philippines plays a vital role in this regional story. With its strong domestic demand, young and growing workforce, and strategic position within Asean and global trade networks, the country has the potential to strengthen its agri-food competitiveness.
"Beyond food production, the sector contributes to industrial development, export diversification, rural employment, and resilience against external shocks. When the agri-food sector is competitive, it supports broader economic goals – from inclusive growth and job creation to price stability and investment confidence.”
He added, “This role is underscored as the Philippines takes the helm as Chair of Asean this year. Food security and human capital development are rightly at the centre of the regional agenda, and the agri-food sector sits squarely at the intersection of both.
"A resilient and competitive food system supports access to affordable and nutritious food for consumers, stable incomes for workers and farmers, and skills development across the value chain.”
On the launch of the report, he said, “This study builds on the initial Oxford Economics report launched in 2022, updating the analysis to reflect new data, evolving economic conditions, and the changing role of the agri-food sector in the Philippine economy.
"It provides a more current and comprehensive picture of how the sector contributes to employment, value creation, trade, and economic resilience, at a time when competitiveness and policy coherence matter more than ever.”
He emphasised, “The report helps ground our discussions in evidence. It allows policymakers and stakeholders to move beyond assumptions and toward practical, data-driven, and solutions-oriented policymaking.”
From AFBA’s perspective, he explained, “The themes of this report closely align with our priorities for the year ahead. These include advancing safer, healthier, and more sustainable food systems; strengthening trade facilitation and regulatory coherence across Asean; and ensuring that policies – particularly non-tariff measures – are evidence-based, proportionate, and workable for businesses of all sizes, including small and medium enterprises.”
“We are also committed to supporting effective implementation of regional trade frameworks such as ATIGA and RCEP through policy dialogue, capacity building, and practical approaches to risk-based food safety, including digital tools that can help both regulators and industry operate more efficiently and transparently,” he added.
These priorities, he said, “reflect a broader belief shared by AFBA: that competitiveness and sustainability are not competing objectives. When policies are aligned, predictable, and grounded in evidence, they can support investment, innovation, and better outcomes across the entire food system, from farmers and manufacturers to consumers.”
He highlighted that forums like this “demonstrate the value of that approach. By bringing together leaders across sectors, we create space for constructive dialogue – dialogue that helps align perspectives, identify trade-offs, and ultimately translate research and analysis into action.” – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
