Forums & Summits

As of mid-2025, Western Visayas is positioned for significant economic expansion, anchored by the newly modernized Visayan Container Terminal (VCT) and a clear government mandate to boost exports. While this state-of-the-art infrastructure enhances trade connectivity, a critical gap persists between its capacity and its widespread commercial utilization. Powerful trade instruments, most notably the Philippines-EFTA Free Trade Agreement, remain largely untapped due to logistical constraints and a lack of practical industry know-how.

Consequently, the region faces a strategic disconnect: it possesses a world-class trade gateway and favorable market access policies, but lacks the unified strategy to align them effectively. A concerted effort is now required to bridge the gap between these valuable assets and their on-the-ground application to unlock the region's full economic potential and ensure a return on its significant infrastructure investment.

EVENT OVERVIEW

In direct response to the region's current landscape, the Western Visayas Maritime and Logistics Forum 2025 will be convened on August 19, 2025. This premier event will gather key public and private sector stakeholders to forge an actionable strategy that bridges the critical gaps between the region's new infrastructure, supportive trade policies, and their effective commercial application.

The forum's agenda is focused on tangible outcomes, centered on maximizing the operational capabilities of the Visayan Container Terminal and leveraging the EFTA-PH Free Trade Agreement, which will be detailed in a cornerstone keynote by the Norwegian Ambassador. The primary objective is to translate the region's monumental assets into measurable economic growth, ensuring the long-term competitiveness and investment appeal of Iloilo and the entire Western Visayas.