MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been successfully showcasing the Philippines to the world during his attendance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, a Filipino business leader said on Monday.
Kevin Tan, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Alliance Global Inc., said in an interview that President Marcos’ participation in the WEF is a very strong signal that the Philippines is open for business, and serves as an excellent chance for the country to tell the world about its growth story.
“I believe President Marcos has been very effective in showcasing the Philippines… our strength. But also showcasing that this government is open for business and open to partnerships with other governments, but as well as with partnerships with [the] private sector and that we are here trying to bring in really foreign investments,” Tan said of the President’s WEF participation.
“On a political front, I think also my view is that the President has really shown that the Philippines really is a friend to all, and we’re not necessarily leaning more towards the West or the East, that we’re very, very balanced in where we are positioned. And I think that’s the right strategy because you know our location as a country is so strategic,” Tan said
Tan, who is part of the President’s delegation to the annual forum in Switzerland, said his company, which has interest in tourism, real estate, and distilled spirits, could also benefit as the President introduces the country’s business opportunities to the world.
Alliance Global is a Filipino company with global operations, such as in the United Kingdom, Spain and Mexico.
Expressing excitement in joining President Marcos on his trip to Davos, Tan said the Filipino leader is on the right track in putting global cooperation at the forefront of his economic agenda as the Philippines emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.
“And our President is a firm believer in globalization, coming through the World Economic Forum, I think that his belief can be made known to a large audience and that I think will give the Philippines a lot of credibility in the global community,” Tan said.
Meanwhile, Sabin Aboitiz, president and CEO of the Aboitiz Group, lauded the President’s economic vision for the country, which he said, excites the private sector.
“So when you have that dual type of respect for each other, it excites people and the President’s belief in the private sector is very strong,” said Aboitiz, who is also the Lead Convenor of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC).
And considering the huge amount of money that the country needs for its ambitious infrastructure projects such as roads, ports and airports, Aboitiz said the Philippine private sector is willing to partner with the big and best businesses overseas to realize the country’s goals.
“So we’re gonna need a lot of the funds to come in to the agriculture. So we’re gonna need a lot of the funds and the expertise from countries around the world,” Aboitiz said.
“And so for us, the private sector, we can partner with the best in the world… to be able to solve problems and not band-aid [solutions] but to structurally change so that it works for the generations to come and not just, you know, for three months or one year,” Aboitiz explained.
With the structural reforms being initiated by the current government, coupled with the country’s rosy economic prospects, Aboitiz said the Philippines, without a doubt, is the next big thing in Asia. “ (PCO)
