MANILA -- Former United Kingdom prime minister Tony Blair said it’s the best time for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to be at the World Economic Forum (WEF) so he could showcase what’s happening in the Philippines while building its stature.

During a meeting between Blair and President Marcos in Davos, Switzerland, the former UK leader said the Philippines isn’t quite in good standing last year.

“So to have somebody to come and articulate very clearly where the country is going, what it’s doing. I think it sends a good signal,” Blair said.

In response, President Marcos said he thinks consistency is important especially when dealing with businesses, stressing that investors need to know the conditions on the ground so they can draw up their plans.

“There should be some kind of stability, some kind of consistency whichever way you’re going. So in terms of policy from the political end, I think it’s important,” the former UK head of government said.

Blair and President Marcos also discussed the country’s development plan, which the President said will not only be for economic development but also for the country’s social upliftment.

This is to alleviate the people’s suffering as a result of the pandemic and as the country prepares for the opening of the global economy.

The Philippines’ development plan focuses on digitalization, logistics, infrastructure development, energy, tourism and food security.

The former UK prime minister paid a courtesy call on President Marcos in Malacañang in October last year, where they discussed a wide range of topics on bureaucracy and governance based on the best practices in developed countries.

Marcos also met Blair in the United States in September last year, on the sidelines of his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York where they discussed initiatives to achieve lasting peace and sustainable development.

Blair serves as the current executive chairman of the Tony Blair Institute For Global Change, a non-profit organization that seeks to support political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies in a globalized world. (PND)