TAGUIG CITY, Philippines — Business leaders and members of the Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industries Philippines (MCCI) gathered for the exclusive Maybank x MCCI Forum, entitled “Turning Global Uncertainty into Business Advantage: A Forum on Managing Risk, Optimising Cash, and Protecting What Matters,” held on Thursday, 23 July 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.
The event was graced by His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of the Philippines, whose presence underscored the strong diplomatic and commercial ties between the two countries.
Among the participating MCCI members was M&T Consultants, Islamic Co. (M&T), which engaged with fellow members to explore potential collaborations in Islamic finance, including opportunities related to Sukuk and other Shari’ah-compliant financing structures.
The program featured expert presentations addressing key corporate and macroeconomic concerns. Kervin Sisayan, Head of Research, opened the strategic discussions with “What’s Next? A Prolonged Era of Uncertainty,” examining prevailing macroeconomic headwinds.
This was followed by Carlo Cruz, CMS Sales Head for Global Banking, who discussed practical approaches to improving corporate liquidity and transaction efficiency through “Optimising Cash Flow: Smarter Disbursements and Efficient Collections.”
Jacqueline Carmen Andres, Strategic Program Director for MPI Transformation, presented approaches to business growth through “Scaling Your Business with myImpact SME,” while Kristia Veloso, Sales Head for Global Markets, discussed reducing currency-related friction in regional trade through “Ringgit & Local Currency: Smarter Settlement for ASEAN Trade.”
The program also featured Anthony Bernabe, President and CEO of Etiqa Philippines, who highlighted corporate protection and financial security solutions in his session, “Why You Need Prosperity Plus Total Care.”
Forging Pathways in Islamic Finance
Beyond the plenary discussions on risk, resilience, cash management, and business growth, the forum provided M&T with a timely platform during the networking segment to introduce conversations on the expanding potential of Islamic finance in the Philippines.
Drawing on Malaysia’s established Islamic finance ecosystem and Maybank’s strong regional presence in Islamic banking, M&T exchanged perspectives with fellow MCCI members on how Philippine businesses may explore Shari’ah-compliant financial solutions and alternative capital-raising mechanisms.
Among the areas of interest was Sukuk, which may provide eligible issuers with an alternative avenue for raising capital while reaching a broader pool of domestic and international investors seeking Shari’ah-compliant investment opportunities.
These engagements also opened opportunities for M&T to contribute its expertise in Shari’ah advisory, Shari’ah consultancy, capacity development, and Islamic finance ecosystem development to businesses seeking to better understand and potentially pursue Islamic finance solutions.
Strengthening Bilateral Business Ties
The forum brought together members of MCCI, the diplomatic community, Maybank, and the broader business sector to exchange insights and identify areas for stronger cross-border cooperation.
For M&T, participation in the forum supports its continuing efforts to engage the private sector in the development of Islamic finance and broaden awareness of emerging Shari’ah-compliant financing and investment opportunities in the Philippines.
As the country’s Islamic finance landscape continues to evolve, platforms such as the Maybank x MCCI Forum can help deepen Malaysia-Philippines business cooperation while opening new pathways for capital, investment, and sustainable economic growth.