At the Businesss Opportunities Fair in Manila

From 16 to 18 September 2025, Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini participated in the Business Opportunities Fair 2025, organised by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at its headquarters in Manila, the Philippines.

The fair, which brought together consultants, consulting firms, public and private stakeholders, civil society organisations and other economic operators, represented an important opportunity to gain a closer and deeper understanding of ADB's procedures, and of the activities promoted and financed by ADB in its member countries. Priority sectors include energy, transport, water resources, urban development, agriculture, public sector management and finance, and human and social development.

FGB was represented at the fair by Giancarlo Dente, Coordinator of the Policy Evaluation & Human Capital Area, and Sara Giorgio and Marialuisa Brotzu, both Managers in the Bids and Contracts Unit.

Throughout the fair, they had the opportunity to meet ADB officials working in procurement, as well as experts in key thematic areas of intervention for FGB – such as skills development, labour market, vocational education and training (VET), gender equality, social protection, social innovation, and economic research. They also engaged in networking activities with other international, regional, and local organisations participating in the inititative.

Furthermore, Dente, Giorgio and Brotzu had the opportunity to take part in the events organised by the ITA Desk at ADB, in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in the Philippines and the ADB Constituency Office for Italy. The team formally met the Italian Ambassador to the Philippines, together with the other 14 Italian companies and organisations attending the fair, to exchange views on business opportunities in the country, and with ADB.

"This experience allowed us to gain a clearer understanding of ADB's procedures and working methods, as well as of the broader Asian context. It provided valuable insights to reflect on how FGB's research and consulting activities can contribute to supporting ADB's work across the Asian continent" commented FGB team upon returning from the mission.