Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC), the Philippine operating company of FrieslandCampina, participated in the 12th ASEAN–EU Business Summit in Manila, bringing the role of nutrition and the dairy industry into discussions on regional economic growth, human capital development, and long-term competitiveness.
The summit brought together government and business leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU). AMC used the platform to emphasise the importance of safe, high-quality, and affordable nutrition in supporting healthier populations and more productive economies.
The company’s participation reflects the growing connection between the dairy sector, public health, food accessibility, and economic development across Southeast Asia.
Dairy Nutrition Takes Centre Stage in Economic Development Discussions
AMC Managing Director Marjorie Garrovillo led the company’s delegation at the summit, marking her first ASEAN-level business engagement since assuming leadership of the organisation. She was joined by Atty. Cashmer Dirampaten, Corporate Affairs and Legal Director, and Wendell Balderas, Corporate Communications and Dairy Development Lead.
FrieslandCampina Business Group Asia was represented by Atty. Maria Angela Esquivel, Corporate Affairs Director for Business Group Asia, who participated in a panel discussion titled “Investing in Health & Nutrition: Building ASEAN’s Human Capital, Productivity & Competitiveness.”
The discussion explored the importance of recognising nutrition as more than a healthcare concern. Access to adequate nutrition can also influence educational outcomes, workforce participation, productivity, and the broader economic resilience of communities.
For the dairy industry, these considerations highlight the role of milk and dairy products as sources of essential nutrients, including protein and calcium. Their contribution to a balanced diet depends on individual nutritional needs, dietary patterns, affordability, and access to a diverse range of foods.
Affordable and Accessible Nutrition Remains a Priority
During the discussion, Esquivel emphasised that nutrition should be considered a strategic investment in ASEAN’s human capital, productivity, and regional economic resilience.
The message is particularly relevant to dairy businesses operating in markets where consumers have varying levels of purchasing power and access to nutritious foods. Making dairy products more accessible requires attention to pricing, product availability, distribution networks, and consumer awareness.
Dairy companies can contribute through science-based product development, improvements in manufacturing efficiency, responsible sourcing, and distribution models designed to reach more consumers.
However, expanding access to nutrition also involves challenges beyond production. Feed and energy expenses, processing infrastructure, transportation costs, and supply chain efficiency can affect the final price paid by consumers.
Collaboration between businesses, governments, farmers, and other stakeholders can help identify practical approaches to addressing these challenges while maintaining food safety and product quality.
ASEAN–EU Cooperation and the Dairy Sector
The summit also took place against the backdrop of continued ASEAN–EU engagement, including discussions around closer economic cooperation and a potential region-to-region free trade agreement.
Greater economic integration could create opportunities for businesses by facilitating trade, investment, technology exchange, and cooperation across industries. For dairy companies, such developments may be relevant to product distribution, manufacturing partnerships, technical expertise, and supply chain development.
Nevertheless, the potential effects of any future trade agreement would depend on its final terms, implementation, and the regulatory requirements applicable to individual products and markets.
The discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring that economic growth translates into tangible benefits for people. Access to safe and affordable food, including nutritious dairy products where appropriate, forms part of this wider development conversation.
FrieslandCampina and AMC’s Role in Dairy Development
For FrieslandCampina and Alaska Milk Corporation, participation in the summit provided an opportunity to present their dairy expertise, consumer understanding, and science-based innovation as potential contributions to improving nutrition access.
Their involvement also underscores the importance of connecting commercial activities with broader priorities such as food quality, affordability, and sustainable economic development.
Across Southeast Asia, dairy businesses operate within diverse consumer markets and agricultural systems. Building effective supply chains requires consideration of local preferences, distribution challenges, product safety, and the needs of communities and business partners.
Continued engagement between dairy companies and public-sector stakeholders can help strengthen dialogue on these issues and support the development of solutions suited to regional needs.
Nutrition as Part of a Sustainable Dairy Future
AMC’s participation in the 12th ASEAN–EU Business Summit highlights how dairy industry discussions are increasingly connected with wider economic and social priorities.
For the sector, the challenge extends beyond producing and selling dairy products. It also involves maintaining quality, supporting efficient supply chains, responding to consumer needs, and contributing to responsible food systems.
As ASEAN and the EU continue their engagement on economic cooperation, nutrition is likely to remain an important consideration in discussions about human development and productivity.
The summit provided AMC and FrieslandCampina with a platform to reinforce this message: healthier communities and resilient economies require sustained collaboration, and the dairy industry has a role to play in making safe, quality, and affordable nutrition more accessible.