After two years of hybrid conference platform, this year’s 48th Philippine Business Conference (PBC) will go for a full physical gathering of businessmen in the country. “The primary message we wish to convey in the 48th PBC is quite simple and straightforward: The Philippines is ready and open for business,” said Perry A. Ferrer, chairman of the 48th PBC, which will be held on Oct. 10-20 at the traditional venue of Manila Hotel. After two years of hard lockdown due to the pandemic, there is no better venue to bring this message to the world than the PBC, the country’s largest annual gathering of businessmen in the country. This year’s PBC is also doubly important as it will be the first time for President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to address the business community in one grand setting. As customary, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is hosting the annual event, will present to the President the PBC Resolutions, a set of recommendations on economic issues. The President is also expected to respond to the PBC resolutions. Businessmen, both local and foreign, are eager to hear President Marcos lay down his plans over the next six years of his administration, particularly on specific issues, such as, digitalization, jobs creation, ease of doing business, and agriculture revival. The PBC aims to jumpstart the needed cooperation between the Philippine government and the private sector to facilitate the reforms and gain business acceptance of programs to be implemented in the next six years. Already, PCCI has listed issues that need urgent attention to help businesses and to bolster recovery. First on the long list of needs are the enabling and capacitating policies for the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Second, massive investments in infrastructure. Third, programs to further strengthen fiscal resilience to continue the expansion of then Pres. Duterte’s centerpiece program of “Build, Build, Build” and other social services. Fourth, intensifying automation and digitalization of government's services. Lastly, businesses would like to hear from the President how he intends to make the country become more business friendly to attract more foreign and local investments. The PBC will serve as a venue for presenting the new government’s vision and thrust under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), for gathering private sector feedback, and for generating commitment on critical items in the PDP. Businessmen are all ears.