Partnership establishes a framework for joint AI training, knowledge exchange, and cross-border
Business cooperation between Philippine and Singapore-based enterprises.
TAGUIG CITY, Philippines — March 6, 2026 — The Philippine AI Business Association (PAIBA)
and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (PhilCham Singapore) signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 6 March, 2026, at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)
Lounge in Bonifacio Global City. The MOU establishes a formal partnership focused on AI
capability-building, knowledge exchange, and business cooperation between the Philippines and
Singaporean enterprises.
The agreement comes as Philippine firms continue to lag in adopting artificial intelligence.
According to a 2025 study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), only 14.9% of
Philippine firms currently use AI and machine learning technologies, with micro, small, and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) adopting AI at a rate of just 5.29%, well below that of large enterprises. The
PAIBA–PhilCham Singapore partnership is positioned to address this gap by connecting Philippine
MSMEs to capability-building resources and cross-border markets.
At a Glance
Signed: 6 March, 2026 at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Lounge, Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig.
Parties: Philippine AI Business Association (PAIBA) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in
Singapore (PhilCham Singapore).
Scope: Knowledge exchange, joint training programs, cross-border events, and business
cooperation between Philippine and Singapore-based enterprises.
Witnessed by: Philippine Stock Exchange President Ramon Monzon and PSE Director Vivian
Yuchengco.
Next milestone: Joint program announcements to follow in subsequent communications.
What the MOU Covers
The MOU between PAIBA and PhilCham Singapore establishes a framework for collaboration
across four areas:
- Knowledge exchange. Sharing of business insights, AI adoption trends, and industry
developments between the Philippine and Singapore business communities. - Joint training programs. Co-developed learning sessions and capability-building
initiatives focused on AI adoption for member organizations of both bodies. - Joint events and collaborations. Coordinated programming that brings together
Philippine and Singapore-based business leaders. - Cross-border business cooperation. Support for partnerships among Philippine and
Singaporean enterprises, with a particular focus on AI-enabled growth opportunities.
Why a Philippines–Singapore AI Corridor
The signing reflects a shared recognition that regional collaboration is critical in navigating the
evolving role of AI in business. While Philippine MSMEs face structural barriers to AI adoption,
including limited digital infrastructure, skills gaps, and funding constraints (PIDS, 2025), Singapore
consistently ranks among the most AI-ready economies in Asia. The PAIBA–PhilCham Singapore
partnership creates a structured channel for Philippine enterprises to access capability-building
pathways while opening opportunities for Singapore-based Filipino businesses to engage with the
Philippine AI ecosystem.
“This partnership creates a pathway for businesses to learn from each other, expand opportunities,
and build stronger connections across markets,” PAIBA said in a joint statement. “AI adoption is not
confined within borders, and neither should collaboration be.”
L-R: Rainer Ong – Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of QRYPTED Technology Pte. Ltd; Margarita Locsin –
President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Singapore; Jerry Ilao – Co-founder and President of PAIBA | Olern;
Anne Francisco – Co-founder and Vice President of PAIBA | Ferino’s Bibingka; Josie See – Board Director of PAIBA |
World of Nuts; Amrei Dizon – Board Director of PAIBA | Introspeck & Vitalstrats
Delegation and Institutional Backing
Representing PAIBA at the signing were Founding President Jerry Ilao, Founding Vice President
Anne Francisco, Founding Board Members Josie See and Amrei Dizon, and the PAIBA Secretariat.
PhilCham Singapore was represented by President Margarita Locsin-Chan and Rainier Ong.
L-R: Jerry Ilao – Co-founder and President of PAIBA | Olern; Anne Francisco – Co-founder and Vice President of PAIBA |
Ferino’s Bibingka; Ramon Monzon – President of the Philippine Stock Exchange; Rainer Ong – Co-Founder and Chief
Technology Officer of QRYPTED Technology Pte. Ltd; Margarita Locsin – President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce
in Singapore; Ma. Vivian Yuchengco – Director of Philippine Stock Exchange; Amrei Dizon – Board Director of PAIBA |
Introspeck & Vitalstrats; Josie See – Board Director of PAIBA | World of Nuts; Rio Ilao – Founder and CEO of
MobileOptima Inc.; Sonny Francisco – Owner of Ferino’s Bibingka
The event also provided an opportunity for delegates to engage with the Philippine Stock Exchange
President Ramon Monzon and PSE Director Vivian Yuchengco are reinforcing the role of institutional
support in fostering innovation and regional cooperation between the Philippines and Singapore.
L-R: Margarita Locsin – President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Singapore; Jerry Ilao – Co-founder and
President of PAIBA | Olern
What Happens Next
As PAIBA and PhilCham Singapore move forward with the partnership, the focus remains on
translating the MOU into specific programs that support business growth, AI capability-building, and
innovation-driven competitiveness in both markets. Detailed program announcements, including
training schedules and joint event calendars, will be issued in subsequent communications.
About PAIBA
The Philippine AI Business Association (PAIBA), Asia’s first AI Business Association, is an industry
body dedicated to advancing responsible artificial intelligence adoption among Philippine
enterprises. PAIBA convenes business leaders, technology providers, and policymakers around AI
literacy, governance, and capability-building, with a focus on supporting MSMEs and large
enterprises in their AI integration journeys.
About PhilCham Singapore
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (PhilCham Singapore) represents Filipino-
owned and Filipino-affiliated businesses operating in Singapore. The chamber supports its
members through networking, advocacy, and cross-border business development between the
Philippine and Singaporean business communities.
Philippine AI Business Association (PAIBA)
Email: secretariat@paiba.org
Website: www.paiba.org
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