BACK from the cool
climes of Davos, Switzerland, President Aquino confirmed on Sunday the
increasing interest of investors to do business and expand investments
in the Philippines, prompting him to accept an offer for the country to
host the next World Economic Forum (WEF) in East Asia in 2014.
In Davos, he said upon
his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, European and
other foreign leaders and businessmen had been eager to meet with him
on how they can do business with the Philippines.
According to the
President, it was clear from talks he had with heads of state and chief
executives officers attending the WEF in Davos that the international
business community has taken notice that the Philippines is no longer
the “Sick Man in Asia” as it was once known.
“Nakarating na po sa
kanila ang magagandang balita ukol sa Pilipinas, nakikita na nila ang
mga naisasakaturapan nating reporma, ang paglago ng ating ekonomiya,
pati na rin ang makatuwiran nating paninindigan sa ugnayang panlabas
[The good news has reached them, they see the reforms we have
implemented, the growth of the economy and our clear-cut foreign
policy],” Mr. Aquino said.
He added that his
attendance at the WEF gave him the chance to personally assure
international investors of the reforms that have been instituted under
his watch.
The President admitted
that he had initial hesitation about his going to Davos. But, he said,
in the end he decided to fly to Switzerland because he thought he was
the best person to answer questions from the international community.
Among the leaders he met was WEF Founder and Prof. Klaus Schwab who,
Mr. Aquino said, praised the reforms that the government pursued when he took over the presidency in 2010.
Mr. Aquino said, praised the reforms that the government pursued when he took over the presidency in 2010.
He added that he also
sat down with Managing Director Christine Lagarde of the International
Monetary Fund and personally appraised Lagarde of the new way of doing
things in the Philippines under the Aquino administration. The President
recalled sitting in a jam-packed meeting with top business leaders from
all over the world organized by the Ayala Corp. and where he saw
leaders and businessmen who wanted to “cash in” on the Philippines’s
economic achievements.
by: Butch Fernandez / Reporter (business mirror)