PASAY CITY, Philippines — M&T Consultants, Islamic Co. joined the recently concluded Asean Tech Summit 2026, held on 28–29 July 2026 at the Manila Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom, upon the invitation of FinTech Alliance.PH and as one of the Alliance’s knowledge partners.
Hosted under the theme “Building ASEAN’s Digital Economy: Secure. Sustainable. Inclusive. Borderless,” the summit brought together policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, fintech companies, investors, innovators and technology providers to examine the developments shaping the region’s digital future.
Discussions focused on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, or DEFA, alongside cross-border payments, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data governance and other emerging areas of digital finance.
M&T’s participation builds on its strategic partnership with FinTech Alliance.PH, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 12 May 2026 in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. The partnership supports the development and digitalization of Islamic finance, including technical advisory and international certification pathways for a stronger Shari’ah-compliant financial ecosystem.
The summit came at a pivotal stage in ASEAN’s digital integration. Negotiations on DEFA were concluded during the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting in Manila on 30 May 2026, completing work on what is envisioned as a comprehensive region-wide digital economy agreement. Its signing is targeted for the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026.
DEFA seeks to establish a more connected and trusted regional digital environment by advancing digital trade, interoperable systems, electronic payments, cross-border data flows, cybersecurity, digital identity and responsible use of emerging technologies. With effective implementation, ASEAN has projected that the value of its digital economy could reach as much as US$2 trillion by 2030.
From M&T’s perspective, Islamic finance can contribute to these ambitions by helping ensure that ASEAN’s expanding digital ecosystem accommodates consumers, businesses and institutions seeking solutions consistent with Shari’ah principles. As fintech companies pursue wider regional markets, Shari’ah-compliant digital payments, financing, investments, Takaful and Islamic social finance solutions can provide additional channels for participation. This is particularly relevant to Philippine fintechs seeking to serve Shari’ah-sensitive market segments while positioning their products for a more integrated ASEAN economy.
Islamic finance can also reinforce DEFA’s objectives relating to trust, consumer protection and responsible innovation. Shari’ah governance promotes transparency, fairness, accountability and the ethical structuring of financial transactions—principles that can complement regulatory requirements for product development, data governance and the responsible deployment of technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The opportunity is not limited to Muslim consumers. Financial solutions built around responsible practices, clear contractual arrangements and genuine economic value can also appeal to the broader market, allowing fintechs to strengthen public confidence while expanding their regional reach.
Through its strategic partnership with FinTech Alliance.PH, M&T seeks to help translate these opportunities into concrete and market-ready initiatives. Potential areas of support include Shari’ah advisory, product structuring, governance frameworks, regulatory-readiness assessments and international certification for fintech companies preparing to serve the Philippine and wider ASEAN markets.
M&T’s attendance at the Asean Tech Summit reflects its continuing effort to understand the direction of ASEAN’s digital economy, deepen engagement with industry stakeholders and position Islamic finance as a practical contributor to a more trusted, responsible and interconnected regional financial ecosystem.
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