Last week in Italy was more than a business trip with IC&Partners , it was a reaffirmation of the power of global collaboration, trusted partnerships, and a shared vision for sustainable international growth.
It was both an honour and a privilege as I joined the Summer Event 2026, “The Made in Italy Routes,” held at the beautiful Villa Ottoboni in Padua. The event brought together government officials, financial institutions, industry leaders, and international market experts to discuss Italy’s strategic vision for internationalization, the future of global trade, and how innovation and artificial intelligence are reshaping cross-border business.
One of the most insightful presentations was delivered by Alessandro Terzulli of SACE, who shared Italy’s strategic outlook for investments in Southeast Asia. It was encouraging to see the Philippines identified alongside Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand as one of the region’s priority markets for Italian businesses seeking growth and expansion.
Another highlight was witnessing the launch of JANUS, IC&Partners’ AI Export Office—a pioneering platform that integrates market intelligence, tender analysis, AI-powered capabilities, and strategic advisory to support companies in expanding successfully into international markets.
Beyond the conference, I joined the global company meeting to discuss the directions of IC&Partners operating in 21 countries with more than 300 professionals working with 29 strategic partners worldwide. Myself and my Vietnam counterpart, Ta Thuy (Nancy), also had the opportunity to meet with several clients headquartered in Italy: Crif Solutions, SAB Robotics, and Zamperla. These engagements provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by internationally expanding businesses and reinforced the importance of strong local expertise supported by a trusted global network.
Serving as Country Head of IC&Partners Philippines, I am proud to contribute to strengthening the economic and business ties between Italy and the Philippines. As Italian companies continue to explore opportunities in Southeast Asia, I look forward to working with our colleagues across the IC&Partners global network to help businesses navigate the Philippine market and foster meaningful cross-border collaborations.
My sincere appreciation to President Roberto Corciulo, the leadership team of IC&Partners, and all the speakers, partners, and participants for an inspiring and forward-looking event. I return home with fresh perspectives, stronger relationships, and renewed optimism about the opportunities ahead for the Philippines and the broader ASEAN region.
Happy to be reconnected with Massimo Nardini of NexumStp who graciously hosted me back in October 2023 when I received the International Women Entrepreneurship Challenge (IWEC) Award in Turin.