MANILA – A unified merchant database and verifiable identity system could accelerate digital adoption among Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), enabling them to compete in the ASEAN market, G-Xchange Inc. president and CEO Oscar Enrico Reyes Jr. said at the ASEAN Business Environment Forum.

Reyes, who heads the mobile wallet operator of GCash, said fragmented identification processes remain a barrier for MSMEs seeking to join digital platforms.

“It’s so cumbersome to onboard a merchant. It can take months because of the back and forth on documents just to verify their identity,” he noted.

He stressed that a centralized repository would simplify onboarding, allowing enterprises to accept digital payments, manage transactions, and expand their customer base.

Panelists from Grab, Microsoft ASEAN, and the Tech for Good Institute joined Reyes in highlighting the need for stronger cooperation between governments and the private sector to advance digitalization.

They pointed to the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement as a key initiative to align rules, improve cross-border data flows, and support digital trade.

Reyes underscored that trust and security are critical to MSME adoption.

GCash employs advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, and real-time fraud detection to safeguard accounts and transactions.

“It starts with trust. There has to be trust in the whole ecosystem,” he said.

Industry leaders agreed that practical partnerships and supportive regulations could help build a more stable, business-friendly environment across ASEAN, boosting regional economic growth.

(This report is based on information provided by GCash through FuentesManila)