On May 5, 2026, in Manila, the Philippines, the 7th Meeting of the Heads of ASEAN Competition Agencies was convened with the participation of leaders of competition authorities from the 11 ASEAN member states. The meeting was chaired by Santisouk Phounesavath, Director of the Department of Domestic Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos.

During the meeting, heads of ASEAN competition authorities exchanged views on emerging competition issues and concerns that could impact the regional competitive landscape, as well as the challenges faced by national competition agencies. Discussions focused on competition issues arising in the context of the digital economy and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), policy responses adopted by competition authorities to address these challenges, international cooperation among competition agencies, and initiatives aimed at promoting competition across the region. Participants also continued deliberations on institutionalizing the working mechanism of the ASEAN Heads of Competition Agencies (AHCA).

Later the same day, the 1st ASEAN - EU Competition Authorities Leaders’ Meeting was held under the co-chairmanship of Michael G. Aguinaldo, Chairperson of the Philippine Competition Commission representing the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2026;  Santisouk Phounesavath, Director of the Department of Domestic Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos; and Guillaume Loriot, Deputy Director responsible for mergers at the Directorate-General for Competition of the European Commission (EC).

Speaking at the meeting, representatives of Vietnam’s National Competition Commission (NCC) highlighted the critical role played by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Vietnamese economy, as well as the challenges these businesses are facing amid the rapid development of the digital economy. The Vietnamese delegation also shared perspectives on how competition authorities can support such enterprises in overcoming these challenges from a state management and competition policy perspective.

In addition, the NCC updated participants on a decision recently issued by the Chairperson of the Commission in early 2026 regarding a legal support plan for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The plan includes a range of practical initiatives, such as conducting a comprehensive review of legal regulations to remove barriers affecting SMEs; developing and regularly updating databases on competition law and consumer protection to facilitate easier access for both regulatory agencies and businesses; organizing workshops and training programs to equip enterprises with the knowledge necessary to identify anti-competitive practices and unfair competition, as well as to protect their legitimate rights and interests when infringed upon; and establishing mechanisms to receive and process business feedback and recommendations in the fields of competition and consumer protection.

Leaders of ASEAN and EU competition authorities highly appreciated the practical and proactive efforts undertaken by Vietnam’s National Competition Commission.