Philippine companies are leveraging global platforms to expand their reach and build cross-border partnerships, as three members of the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) Business Club took part in the recently concluded World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) Global Business Forum (GBF) hosted by World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP).
Among them was Golden Resources and Ecomaterials Enterprises Inc. (GREEN Inc.), a Philippine company specializing in sustainable and eco-friendly materials, which returned from the event with concrete leads, new global partnerships, and a reinforced belief that Filipino enterprises are ready for the world.
Philippine Representatives at the WTC Global Business Forum (from left): Ideal Works Vice President for International Partnership and External Affairs Simon Daryl Pecson, GREEN Inc. General Manager and Corporate Secretary Atty. Geraldine C. Ramboyong, WTCMM Chairman and CEO Pamela D. Pascual, Ideal Works Managing Director Donabelle Sevillena, and GREEN Inc. President Alexis S. San Luis II.
GREEN Inc. was part of the Philippine delegation that WTCMM brought to the 56th WTCA GBF, held April 19-22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The annual Forum is the flagship gathering of the WTCA, drawing business leaders, trade experts, and member World Trade Center® (WTC®) businesses from a global network spanning more than 300 WTC locations across nearly 100 countries and territories.
This year’s GBF brought together over 500 attendees representing 116 WTC businesses across 53 countries and territories, including more than 200 business delegates, attending both in person and virtually. Held under the theme “Historic Foundations, Future Collaborations: Cultivating New Business Frontiers,” the Forum featured keynote addresses, panel discussions,
56th Annual World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) Global Business Forum (GBF) Attendees
Business matching was facilitated through the B2Match platform, connecting participants with potential partners, investors, and distributors across key sectors including food and agriculture, life sciences, manufacturing, and innovation and technology. Philadelphia served as a strong backdrop for the event, showcasing its economic strengths and global connectivity as a growing hub for international business and trade.
For Philippine micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), access to these kinds of platforms is especially critical. Philippine MSMEs face recurring barriers to internationalization, including limited access to overseas markets, complex export and regulatory requirements, logistics constraints, and gaps in financing and capacity-building.
Through its membership in the WTCA network, WTCMM works to bridge these gaps, connecting local businesses to a global ecosystem where relationships, market insights, and cross-border opportunities are actively cultivated.
Representing GREEN Inc. were President Alexis S. San Luis II and General Manager and Corporate Secretary Atty. Geraldine C. Ramboyong, who participated in high-level sessions, business matching activities, and networking events alongside delegates from across industries and geographies. These interactions generated serious leads and spurred follow-up discussions on potential collaborations and investments.
“My biggest takeaway from the WTCA Global Business Forum in Philadelphia is that global opportunities really come down to relationships and trust,” said San Luis. “We were able to build strong connections and generate serious leads for Green Inc., and it reinforced the importance of being present and ready for the global market.”
Atty. Ramboyong described the Forum as a highly effective platform for company networking, one that enabled GREEN Inc. to forge meaningful connections with business leaders from around the globe.
“It provided a valuable environment for exchanging ideas and building strategic relationships across different industries,” she said. “It also served as a learning ground for emerging business practices, allowing me to benchmark my leadership experience alongside fellow CEOs.”
The GBF’s programming focused on driving practical business outcomes and cross-border connections, with GREEN Inc.’s sustainable materials offerings drawing significant interest from international counterparts across multiple sectors.
“Through WTCA’s global network, we’re creating meaningful pathways for our members to expand their reach and explore new markets,” said Pamela D. Pascual, Chairman and CEO of WTCMM. “Our role as a gateway for trade and investment continues to grow stronger as we link the Philippines to the world.”
GREEN Inc. was joined at the GBF by two other WTCMM Business Club members: Mensch Filam Corporation, represented by President and CEO Racquel Simon and Chairman Carl Hochman; and Ideal Works Advertising and Event Management Inc., represented by Managing Director Donabelle Sevillena and Vice President for International Partnerships and External Affairs Simon Daryl Pecson.
The participation of Philippine enterprises at the 2026 WTCA GBF reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen international engagement alongside Asia-Pacific counterparts, as well as the comradery and business relationships amongst the members of the WTCMM Business Club — with extended time together revealing synergies and partnership opportunities that shorter local events rarely surface. Through platforms such as the GBF, WTCA continues to advance international trade, global investments, and cross-border collaboration. For WTCMM, it remains a key vehicle for opening doors that translate into real business results for Philippine companies.
