A Filipino student emerged as one of the winners in the 2025 FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge Asia Pacific finals held in Singapore. The competition drew over 4,700 participants from nine markets including the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong SAR, and Thailand.
Fifty-four students qualified for the finals, where they worked in cross-cultural pairs to design a market entry strategy for an eco-friendly product upcycling discarded textiles for the French market. The challenge highlighted sustainability, consumer awareness, and corporate responsibility in global trade.
Team Spicy Noodles, made up of Jamie Smith from the Republic of Korea and Kathy Nguyen from Vietnam, won first place with their embroidered upcycling brand. Filipino student Janelle Anika S. Tan and her partner Royden So from Hong Kong SAR secured runner-up honors with a smart wall panel created from textile waste. Another runner-up team, ReTex, featured students from Thailand and Vietnam who pitched solar panel innovations.
FedEx Asia Pacific president Kawal Preet praised the participants’ creativity and resilience, emphasizing that the program equips future leaders with tools to address real-world challenges. FedEx Philippines managing director Maribeth Espinosa highlighted the Filipino youth’s global competitiveness, saying their ingenuity and determination strengthen regional growth and collaboration.
For the first time, the APAC winners will gain hands-on experience by visiting FedEx facilities in their home markets. They will learn about logistics and supply chain operations to further their entrepreneurial knowledge.
The FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge, now in its 19th year, has introduced over 50,000 students to business, economics, and international trade. FedEx continues its support for young entrepreneurs and SMEs through initiatives like the Small Business Grant Contest.
