EU-ABC urges Philippines to spearhead battle vs illicit trade

MANILA, Philippines — Illicit trade is emerging as a serious threat to Southeast Asia’s economic ambitions, said the European Union-Asean Business Council (EU-ABC), urging the Philippines to use its 2026 Asean chairship to push for stronger regional action against the problem. In a report submitted to the Philippine government and the Asean Secretariat, the EU-ABC warned