The East Asia Business Council (EABC), under the 2026 Co‑Chairship of the Philippines and Japan, is advancing initiatives to strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) participation in regional markets through new sustainability tools, policy recommendations, and expanded private sector engagement across East Asia.
Guided by the theme “Reinforcing Trust, Integration, and Sustainability in the East Asia Economic Architecture,” EABC convened regional business leaders and policymakers in Tokyo and Manila to advance practical measures that support MSMEs navigating an increasingly integrated regional economy.
Driving regional priorities through the 66th EABC Meeting
The 66th EABC Meeting, held on May 25 at the Tokyo International Forum, brought together business leaders and stakeholders from ASEAN Plus Three economies to advance the Council’s 2026 work program.
The meeting was led by EABC Chairperson Jay Yuvallos of the Philippines and Co‑Chairperson Tetsuya Matsuoka of Japan.
Discussions focused on accelerating regional value chains, strengthening RCEP integration, advancing digital trade, promoting sustainability, and enhancing MSME resilience.
One of the key highlights was the advancement of the East Asia Circularity Agenda, which includes the development of the East Asia Circularity Roadmap 2030, the Green Business Diagnostics Toolkit, and regional training programs on circular economy, resource efficiency, waste‑to‑value solutions, and ESG compliance for MSMEs.
Members also reviewed updates on the Business Outlook Survey 2026 by EABC and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), which aims to gather private sector feedback on business conditions, RCEP utilization, supply chain resilience, digital trade, cross‑border payments, and circular economy readiness across ASEAN Plus Three economies.
The meeting further discussed preparations for upcoming regional engagements, including the first Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Business and Investment Summit in Manila, the East Asia Business Forum 2026, and EABC dialogues with ASEAN Plus Three economic officials and ministers later this year.
Advancing circular economy solutions for MSMEs
Building on the Council’s sustainability agenda, EABC Chairperson Jay Yuvallos joined Thomas Thomas, president of ACEBA, and Dr. Muhammad Firdaus Abdullah, chairperson of ARAIBA Sdn. Bhd., in signing a strategic cooperation charter to advance circular economy and responsible business practices across the region. The signing was witnessed by EABC Co‑Chair Tetsuya Matsuoka and ACEBA Co‑Convenor Dr. Rene van Berkel.
The partnership will promote the use of the Circular Business Check, a practical self‑assessment tool supported by the European Union’s SWITCH‑Asia Programme that helps MSMEs evaluate and strengthen their sustainability practices.
In his remarks, Yuvallos noted that while many MSMEs recognize the growing importance of sustainability, they often lack practical tools to translate their commitments into measurable action.
“The circular economy provides a practical framework for MSMEs to demonstrate commitment and action on environmental, social, and governance performance,” he said.
The initiative will be piloted in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand before a broader regional rollout during the EABC Forum in September 2026.
Strengthening the private sector voice in RCEP
EABC also brought private sector priorities directly to policymakers during the RBAC‑RCEP Joint Committee Dialogue held in Manila on June 1.
The RBAC delegation included Melanie Ng, representing EABC Chairperson Jay Yuvallos; Gil Gonzales, senior advisor to EABC Philippines; Yasufumi Otaki of EABC Japan/JETRO; and EABC Co‑Chair Tetsuya Matsuoka, who joined virtually.
The Council advocated measures to improve RCEP utilization among businesses, address non‑tariff barriers, develop an AI‑powered RCEP information chatbot, and institutionalize regular dialogue between business leaders and RCEP ministers.
Several recommendations received strong support from participating member economies, including Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, and the Philippines, reinforcing the growing role of the private sector in shaping regional economic cooperation.
The series of engagements underscored a common regional challenge: ensuring that trade agreements, sustainability initiatives, and cooperation mechanisms translate into tangible opportunities for MSMEs.
As East Asia navigates an increasingly complex economic landscape, the success of regional integration will ultimately be measured by whether smaller businesses are able to participate, compete, and benefit from it.
