07 May 2026, Seoul. Ambassador Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 ASEAN Panorama, a trade exposition project of the ASEAN-Korea Centre’s Trade and Investment Unit (AKC-TIU). 

The 5-month exposition, running from May to September 2026 at the Seoul ASEAN Hall located at the ground floor of the Korea Press Centre in Seoul, will feature goods from two ASEAN countries every month. 

For the month of May, Brunei Darussalam’s sauces, drinks and condiments are featured, alongside Indonesia’s footwear, bags and designer clothing in batik and traditional weave.

In his opening remarks, AKC Secretary-General Kim Jae-shin expressed appreciation for the efforts of ASEAN to promote its goods and services to Korea, thereby increasing potentials for more economic exchanges in the region, ASEAN nations being Korea’s fifth largest trading partner.

For his part, current chair of the ASEAN Committee in Seoul Ambassador Tanee Sangrat of Thailand noted how it is important to have pragmatic and innovative approaches in the promotion of trade and investments.

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) - Bureau of International Trade Relations Director General Bae Jun-hyoung congratulated ASEAN for the concerted effort to facilitate the influx of trade opportunities with the Republic of Korea.

Also in attendance from the Philippines are the Embassy’s Commercial Attaché Charmaine Mignon Yalong and Ms. Chinny Jin Cruz.

Recently appointed AKC-TIU Head, Ms. Ofelia R. Usigan of the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry, spearheaded the launch and gave a tour of the exhibit, including special AI navigation tools, to all ASEAN Ambassadors.

The Philippines and Laos are scheduled to mount its exposition in the ASEAN Panorama in July 2026. - END