Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2) — The Philippines and the US are set to co-host the 6th annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF) in Manila next year, the White House said on Tuesday (Manila time).
In a statement, the White House said the forum would “strengthen the Philippines’ position as a key hub for regional supply chains and high-quality investment.”
The IPBF is the US government’s annual commercial event in the region, gathering top leaders from the public and private sectors to review policy developments, disclose new investments, and explore partnerships.
The plan was bared as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with US President Joe Biden, with both nations seeking to bolster their security and economic relations.
The White House said Biden also targets to launch a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines to deepen US firms’ investment in the local economy, covering energy transition, critical minerals sector, and food security.
It noted that the mission would feature “the highest caliber of US business leaders.”
