President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has agreed to the Philippines’ hosting of the Forbes Asia Forum and the Forbes Global CEO Conference in 2024 as it is expected to result in wider exposure for the country in line with the administration’s effort to attract more foreign investors.
The President expressed such optimism during a meeting with the senior executives of Forbes Media LCC on Thursday in Malacañang as he agreed to their proposal to hold the forum and the global conference in the fourth quarter of 2024 in the country.
“I hope that we can feature that in this conference and we can show the Philippines as it is now, as opposed to perhaps some of the ideas that people have had almost for a while,” he told Forbes’ top executives.
The conference convenes global CEOs, tycoons, entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders to discuss key issues of international concern and build new partnerships, highlighting a fireside chat between a senior Forbes editor and a host country’s leader.
This year’s global conference will be held in September in Singapore and the visiting executives have invited President Marcos to take part in a fireside chat during the conference.
The Forbes Asia Forum, on the other hand, featuring Forbes Asia’s Best Under a Billion and Forbes Asia’s 100 to Watch, will be held in the fourth quarter of this year also in Singapore.
According to the President, his administration has been focusing on propping up the economy and enticing more investments in various areas such as digitalization, energy, connectivity, bureaucratic reforms, as well as infrastructure development such as roads and school buildings.
On the economy and the current Filipino workforce, he said: “I have the Filipino workforce that, for me, is still is going to be, it has been a blessing. You know we have the youngest workforce in the region…they’re very well-trained English speaking (workers).”
His government, he said, has embarked on a charm offensive because the Philippines has to compete with some of the fastest growing and most energetic economies in the region such as Indonesia, Vietnam, China and Japan.
Among Forbes Media LCC top officials who met the President were Forbes Vice Chairperson Christopher Forbes, Chief Executive Officer William Adamopoulos, Forbes Media Asia Pte. Ltd. Senior Vice President Tina Wee, Regional Director Michelle Ong, and MMPR Media Group, Inc. Country Representative Marie Moñozca. (PND)
