PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Sunday, September 25, 2022, that his working visit to the United States (US) for the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) serves as a good start for opportunities that will benefit the country and the Filipinos.
In his address during his return to the country, Marcos said they are expecting some good news to be shared in the “next few months” in terms of plans of several US companies to expand and further broaden their investment footprint in our country.
This came after he met with several business leaders from different US companies during his stay.
The Philippine delegation led by Marcos also hosted roundtable discussions with four chief executive officers that dealt with key economic sectors, such as Information Technology and Business Process Management, digital infrastructure, global brands particularly in garments and apparel, and industry and infrastructure.
“And all of them committed to be a part of our development and economic growth. Together, we will be working on addressing some of our key economic challenges, particularly once again climate change, food security, energy security, to name but a few,” said Marcos.
“Our discussion with the US business community affirms the optimism with which international investors view the Philippines today,” he added.
Marcos also shared the country’s vision for the future and how important it was to address the key challenges that continue to constrain the development of the country’s economy such during an event at the New York Stock Exchange as well as the Philippine Economic Briefing which drew institutional investors, senior corporate executives, fund managers and entrepreneurs.
He said he informed them how they are looking into a deal with some of the fundamental problems in food, energy and broader economic security, as well as the importance of peace and stability in the region and the important role of great powers like the US to developing countries like the Philippines that have the space to achieve growth potentials.
“My final stop before returning home last night was with the Asia Society, where I had a roundtable discussion with a select group of leaders of the US business community on the state of the global and regional economy today. After the discussion, I delivered a public lecture, where I shared my views on the opportunities, the threats, and challenges facing Asia and the United States, Asia Pacific Region and all our neighboring countries today,” said Marcos.
“I also spoke about my administration’s priorities and plans for the next six years. And the engagement with the Asia Society was a fitting end to a week in the UN and the United States that had one singular message: the time to invest in the Philippines is no longer just some time in the future, it is now,” he added.
In his speech for the 77th session of UNGA, Marcos committed to working with the UN in nation-building and in addressing several global issues which call for united global action, such as climate change, rising food prices, rapid technological change, the peaceful resolution of international disputes, the need to protect the vulnerable sectors of society such as migrants, and ending all forms of prejudice.
Immediately after he arrived in the US, Marcos met with Filipino communities there where he expressed gratitude for their contributions to the communities back home. (SunStar Philippines)