PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, June 21, encouraged Thai businessmen to invest and expand their operations in the Philippines.

In a speech delivered in Bangkok, the President assured Thai business companies that the Philippines is a “more stable and secure place for investments.”

“The Philippines values each economic partnership with Thailand. I am pleased with the current Thai investments in my country and hope that they would continue to increase in the years ahead,” Duterte said during his meeting with top business groups in Thailand.

“We are making significant headway in transforming the Philippines into a more stable and secure place for investments,” he added.

Duterte also took time to thank Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Group and Erawan Group for their current investments in the Philippines, particularly in the food industry, and real estate and hotel operations, respectively.

He likewise urged Thai beverage and retail conglomerate TCC group to invest in the real estate and hotel business in the Philippines.

“I invite you to ride on the momentum of the Philippine growth story and invest, especially in the new industrial destinations of Metro Manila, Clark, Pampanga, Cebu, Bohol and Davao,” he told TCC Group.

The President also encouraged the Thai business firms to participate in the government’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, which he stressed is “in full swing.”

“With our sound macroeconomic policies and ongoing reforms, we guarantee a competitive and corruption-free business climate and a highly-skilled and fast-learning workforce,” he added.

Thailand is the Philippines’ third top investing country during the first quarter of this year, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo noted in a statement issued on Saturday.

Panelo said Duterte’s meeting with Thai businessmen affirmed investors’ confidence to the “competent and skilled leadership” of the President.

“He (Duterte) continues to positively turn the local economy around through his various reform initiatives and make the Philippines as one of the highest growing economies in the region,” the Palace official said. (SunStar Philippines)