Marcos: PH still ‘reliable partner’ for investments
President Marcos arrived in South Korea on Thursday ahead of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, where he is expected to push the Philippines as a “reliable partner” for global investments.
The presidential plane carrying Marcos and his delegation landed at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, at 5 p.m. Mr. Marcos proceeded to a meeting with the Filipino community before joining Apec-related events on Friday.
President Marcos left Manila on Thursday to attend the Apec summit and related activities in South Korea, upon the invitation of President Lee Jae-myung.
In his departure speech at Villamor Air Base, the President said he was “fully confident” that the country’s participation in the Apec meeting would “produce concrete, meaningful outcomes that enhance cooperation, drive connectivity, and promote inclusive prosperity.”
According to Marcos, the growth and stability of the Asia-Pacific region were directly tied to the opportunities and welfare of all Filipinos, as the region accounts for nearly 46 percent of global trade in goods and commercial services, and generates around 61 percent of global gross domestic product.
“So, given these high stakes, this gathering is imperative,” he said.
The president skipped the 2024 Apec summit in Peru to focus on the government’s response to recent calamities that year. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque represented him during the Apec leaders’ meeting.
“We convene at a critical juncture, defined by evolving geopolitical landscapes, supply chain disruptions, threats of climate change, and the urgent need for equitable and inclusive growth,” Marcos added.
Meeting Apec Inc.
According to the President, he will speak at the Apec CEO summit, an annual gathering of the top CEOs in the region, to boost the country’s investment promotion and industry development.
“I intend to showcase the Philippines’ commitment to fostering economic partnerships and promoting a favorable business climate, aligned with our government’s vision of building a strong, innovation-driven economy,” Marcos said.
According to the President, his engagements with the leaders of economies in the Asia-Pacific region will focus on “actionable areas” consistent with his administration’s long-term vision under AmBisyon 2040.
“I want to use this moment to reaffirm a core truth to the international business community: The Philippines is not merely ready. We are a reliable, forward-looking partner in the Asia-Pacific. Invest in the Filipino,” Marcos said.
As the incoming chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the Philippines will also lobby for stronger collaboration with regional partners, “in driving and achieving our shared objectives for a sustainable, technologically empowered, and inclusive future.”
Of the 11 member states of Asean, only seven are member-economies of Apec, including the Philippines. Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor-Leste are not yet Apec members.
On the sidelines of the Apec meetings, the President will also meet with Korean business leaders to deepen trade ties, attract investment and strengthen people-to-people cooperation.
