The Philippines’ Department of Finance outlined its priorities for attracting private investment and expanding financial access at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting in Hong Kong, China, on October 20–21, 2026. International Finance Group Undersecretary Joven Z. Balbosa emphasized stronger project preparation and risk sharing to bring more projects to implementation, alongside initiatives to support household welfare and access to financial services. Balbosa highlighted blended finance, guarantees and other risk-sharing instruments as ways to improve project bankability and attract private capital. He emphasized that success should be measured by projects reaching implementation and delivering more reliable and inclusive digital connectivity, rather than financing commitments alone. On household welfare and financial access, he highlighted the Social Security System’s Pension Reform Program and broader efforts to improve targeted assistance for low-income households, lower digital transaction costs and expand access to responsible formal credit. The meeting concluded with adoption of the 2026 APEC Finance Ministers’ Joint Statement, reaffirming cooperation on fiscal policy, digital infrastructure financing and financial access and opportunity. Its outcomes will inform discussions at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 18–19, 2026, in Shenzhen, China.
Philippines’ Department of Finance highlights project financing and financial access priorities at APEC finance ministers’ meeting
The Philippines’ Department of Finance highlighted stronger project preparation, blended finance and guarantees to attract private capital at the APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting on October 20–21, 2026. Undersecretary Joven Z. Balbosa also outlined efforts to support household welfare, reduce digital transaction costs and widen access to responsible formal credit. Ministers adopted a joint statement reaffirming cooperation on fiscal policy, digital infrastructure financing and financial access.