ASEAN must strengthen resilience against shocks from Middle East crisis, DTI chief says

March 13, 2026 - 11:10 AM
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In this December file photo, DTI Secretary Cristina Roque met with FTSC officers and members of the DTI Executive Committee during the 2026 Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) Planning Conference.

 Philippine Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said on Friday the conflict in the Middle East underscores how deeply interconnected the global economy has become, with geopolitical tensions triggering immediate economic shocks.

Opening an ASEAN economic ministers’ meeting, she stressed that the goal is to strengthen regional resilience and deepen integration so the Southeast Asian bloc can navigate global shifts with coordination and foresight, rather than merely reacting to them.

—Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by John Mair