The Philippines and Vietnam are strengthening cooperation in public finance as both countries navigate rising financing needs, evolving capital markets, and increasingly complex debt management challenges.
The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) recently hosted a delegation from Vietnam’s Department of Debt Management and Foreign Economic Relations (DMFER) under the Ministry of Finance for a peer-learning exchange focused on sovereign borrowing, bond issuances, and public debt management.
Led by DMFER Director General Nguyen Quoc Phuong, the Vietnamese delegation met with Treasurer of the Philippines Sharon P. Almanza and senior Treasury officials to discuss debt management strategies, macroeconomic conditions, and opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation in public finance.
The exchange reflects growing interest among Southeast Asian economies in sharing best practices as governments seek to balance fiscal sustainability with the need to finance infrastructure, economic development, and social programs.
During the sessions, Philippine officials outlined the country’s public debt management framework, including the Bureau’s role in implementing the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDS) and coordinating with key economic agencies on borrowing decisions.
Treasury officials also provided insights into the regulatory and institutional framework governing sovereign debt, risk management practices, investor relations programs, credit rating engagement strategies, and the mechanics of local and international bond issuances.
Particular attention was given to the Philippines’ approach to developing its domestic bond market, conducting government securities auctions, and managing sovereign financing transactions—areas that have become increasingly important as governments seek to diversify funding sources and reduce borrowing risks.
The visit concluded with a tour of the historic Ayuntamiento de Manila, headquarters of the National Treasury.
For both countries, the exchange underscored a shared commitment to strengthening fiscal management through knowledge sharing and regional cooperation.
As global financial markets become more interconnected and volatile, officials view peer learning as an increasingly valuable tool for building resilient and effective public debt management systems.
