Many Japanese companies expressed their admiration for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and have shown interest in investing in the Philippines, San Miguel Corp. President and CEO Ramon Ang said on Friday.

Asked by reporters of his deals in Japan, Ang responded: “Napakaraming Japanese businessman na gustong mag-invest sa Pilipinas. Siyempre hinahanapan lang natin ng good deal ‘yan.”

“Hanga sila sa magaling nating Pangulo eh kaya lahat ng tao gustong mag-invest. Sobra silang hanga sa ating mahal na Pangulo at sabi very energetic at lahat sila gustong mag-invest,” the SMC president said.

Ang, who heads one of the nation’s oldest conglomerates, said he is talking with Japanese companies such as Mitsui, Sumitomo, Taisei, as well as Toyo Engineering for possible deals.

“Marami tayong puwedeng gawin. Of course hinahanapan natin ng magandang deal. Siyempre kailangan mag-invest sila sa atin. Baka tayo pa ang makumbinse na mag-invest sa kanila,” Ang told reporters.

President Marcos said earlier that the business matching event arranged by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for 85 Philippine companies yielded more than 255 meetings with their Japanese counterparts.

Ang expressed hope that these can result in enhanced synergies and new opportunities.

Beyond profit and commerce, Marcos expects the partnerships to extend to lifelong friendships, which will promote and encourage the deepening and strengthening of the ties between Japan and the Philippines

Accompanying the President on his Japan trip is a diverse group of 114 businessmen whose activities span the whole gamut of Japan-centric business opportunities — manufacturing, construction, real estate, retail, food service, trading, telecommunications, aviation, recruitment, mining and agribusiness. #