Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 22) — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubri said the country’s participation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland was a welcome change, describing it as a “coming out party” as the Philippines has not attended similar forums during the past administration.
“I’d say that it is a coming out party of the Philippines pagdating sa economy natin, at investment opportunities natin dito sa ating bansa,” Zubiri said on Saturday.
[Translation: I’d say it is a coming out party of the Philippines when it comes to the economy and investment opportunities.]
“Remember the last administration, ang ating mahal na pangulo at that time was President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, ayaw niya po pumunta sa mga ganoon. So, for six years absent po tayo sa mga investment forums, mga international forums na kung saan, pwede tayong mag imbita ng ibat-ibang investors sa ating bansa,” he added.
[Translation: Remember the last administration, our beloved president at that time was President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, he did not want to attend such events. So, for six years we were absent from investment forums, international forums, where we could invite different investors to the country.]
Zubiri also said the country had a lot to gain from its presence at the WEF.
“I think so because I think the economic gains that we will gain from it… mababayaran sa mga investments na papasok sa ating bansa. I think that it was a good move,” he said.
[Translation: I think so because I think the economic gains that we will gain from it… we will benefit from these investments. I think that it was a good move.]
President Marcos returned to Manila on Saturday afternoon, and he announced there were new investment pledges made in the fields of digital solutions, logistics, telecommunications, renewable fuel, among others.
The trip drew criticism due to the large delegation that accompanied the chief executive to Davos. Marcos responded to this, saying government has to be “complete” at the event when facing global leaders and business tycoons.
Malacañang said the following business leaders were part of the delegation: Sabin Aboitiz of Aboitiz & Company, Kevin Andrew Tan of Alliance Global, Jaime Zobel de Ayala of the Ayala Group, Lance Gokongwei of JG Summit Holdings, Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corp., Teresita Sy-Coson of SM Investments, and Enrique Razon of International Container Terminal.
