ASEAN Business Awards 2026 Now Open for Nominations

CEBU CITY — Filipino startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to submit their nominations for the ASEAN Business Awards (ABA) 2026, which are open until September 30. This initiative aims to recognize businesses across Southeast Asia for their achievements in sustainability, digital innovation, inclusive development, and regional economic integration.

The awards provide a platform for Philippine businesses to showcase their products and services beyond the domestic market, potentially facilitating their expansion into regional and global markets. Past recipients of the ABA Legacy Award from the Philippines include notable figures such as Henry Sy Sr., John Gokongwei, and Jaime Zobel de Ayala, underscoring the historical significance of these awards.

This year, the ABA places a heightened emphasis on businesses that enhance regional value and supply chains, as well as those that promote deeper economic integration within ASEAN. Additionally, the awards acknowledge companies that advance gender equality, economic empowerment, and the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, green technology, agri-tech, and the creative economy.

The Priority Integration Sector Excellence Award encompasses eight key sectors: agriculture and agri-food; human capital and business services; manufacturing and industrial technology; infrastructure, connectivity and supply chain; omni-channel and retail trade; artificial intelligence and digital transformation; creative economy, culture and tourism; and energy and renewable energy. Both SMEs and larger enterprises are eligible to compete across these categories.

The SME Excellence Award specifically evaluates businesses based on market performance, financial health, and their potential for regional or global competition, with categories that include growth and innovation, employment, and corporate social responsibility. Special awards will also honor individual entrepreneurs and businesses for their contributions to gender equality and economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, creativity, sustainability, and family business excellence.

Joey Concepcion, chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) 2026, emphasized the awards' role in encouraging smaller enterprises to develop sustainable and scalable business models. He noted that the goal is to support micro and small entrepreneurs in becoming not just survival entrepreneurs, but sustainable and eventually growing businesses.

The ASEAN Business Awards were established in 2007 as a flagship program of the ASEAN BAC to acknowledge enterprises and entrepreneurs contributing to regional integration, economic growth, and inclusive business practices. The awards are presented annually in conjunction with the ASEAN Summit.

Nominations and applications for the ABA 2026 can be submitted until September 30. Interested parties may contact the ASEAN Business Awards 2026 Secretariat for further information.