The Embassy of Israel reaffirmed its support for the continued growth of the Philippine fintech industry and the upcoming ASEAN Tech Summit Manila 2026 during a meeting with leaders of FinTech Alliance.PH and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC).
Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh and Deputy Chief of Mission Ariel Seidman met with Lito Villanueva, executive vice president and chief innovation and inclusion officer of RCBC and founding chairman of FinTech Alliance.PH to discuss opportunities for deeper collaboration in digital innovation, fintech, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
The discussions reflected the growing interest among international stakeholders in supporting the Philippines’ digital transformation agenda and financial inclusion goals.
According to Villanueva, the engagement highlighted shared priorities around innovation, technology adoption, and strengthening digital ecosystems that can help drive inclusive economic growth.
The Philippine fintech sector continues to pursue the industry’s 80×80 Agenda, which aims to bring 80% of adult Filipinos into the formal financial system and digitalize 80% of retail payments by 2028.
Villanueva expressed gratitude to the Embassy of Israel for its continued engagement with the Philippine fintech ecosystem.
“On behalf of FinTech Alliance.PH and RCBC, I would like to thank Ambassador Dana Kursh and the Embassy of Israel for their continued support of the Philippine fintech industry. We look forward to further strengthening our collaboration and advancing shared goals in innovation, financial inclusion, cybersecurity, and digital transformation,” Villanueva said.
Ambassador Kursh echoed the commitment to deepen cooperation between Israel and the Philippines. “I was delighted to discuss the growing partnership between Israel and the Philippines and the opportunities ahead as we look toward ASEAN Tech Summit Manila 2026,” Kursh said.
Joining the Israeli delegation was Ariel Seidman, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Israel and Ofek Venecianer, economic counselor and head of the Israel Economic and Trade Mission to the Philippines.
The delegation also reaffirmed its support for the ASEAN Tech Summit Manila 2026, which is expected to bring together around 4,000 delegates from 30 countries to discuss emerging technologies, digital finance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and opportunities shaping Southeast Asia’s digital economy.
FinTech Alliance.PH said partnerships with international stakeholders remain critical in accelerating innovation, promoting knowledge exchange, and supporting the Philippines’ aspiration of becoming a digitally empowered and financially inclusive nation.