Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President George Barcelon has pledged to President Marcos the business community's support to his administration's plans and actions in the post-pandemic era.

Speaking at the 48th Philippines Business Conference and Expo on Thursday, Oct. 20, Barcelon expressed the business sector's optimism on the country's economic growth under the Marcos administration, citing the various business deals and investment pledges the President has gained from his first set of state visits to other countries, including the United States.

"Your state visits have generated business deals and investment pledges worth billions in dollars. These visits strengthen our bilateral ties that promise more business collaboration and investment between our countries. You have placed the Philippines back in the radar of foreign investors," Barcelon said.

"Now that the pandemic has come to an end, we are now open for business and are optimistic that the economy under your leadership will rebound and achieve greater heights," he added.

He also stressed that the President's visits to the key institutions during his state visit in the US like the New York Stock Exchange and Asian Society, among others "allayed the fears of the American investors and gave them the confidence to trust in your administration."

Barcelon said the business community ''truly appreciates" the current administration's goal to support and develop the agriculture sector and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which, he said, are considered the backbone of the economy.

With this, the PCCI President expressed the business community's "full support" to the President's plans for the country, adding that implementing initiatives such as improvement of connectivity and infrastructure development through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) give the business community that "business will thrive and continue and flourish" under Marcos' watch.

"All this is not just to create more wealth but more importantly provide more jobs to our people. Rest assured, Mr. President, of our full support and cooperation to your administration plan and actions to provide a better future for all of us," Barcelon said.

Convened annually by the PCCI, the Philippine Business Conference and Expo serves as a venue for policymakers, business leaders and other stakeholders to meet and discuss policy recommendations in creating a sustainable and resilient business environment.