DAVOS, Switzerland — Two of the Philippines' top business tycoons agreed that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has been successfully showcasing the Philippines on the global stage at the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) here.
Kevin Tan, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Alliance Global Inc., said that Marcos' participation in the WEF is a powerful signal that the Philippines is open for business and serves as an excellent chance for the country to tell the world about its growth story.
"I believe President Marcos has been very effective in showcasing the Philippines... our strength. But also showcasing that this government is open for business and to partnerships with other governments, as well as with partnerships with private sector and that we are here trying to bring in really foreign investments," he said.
Tan, who is part of the President's delegation to the annual forum in Switzerland, said his company, which has interests in tourism, real estate, and distilled spirits, could also benefit as Marcos introduces the country's business opportunities to the world.
Alliance Global is a Filipino company with global operations, such as in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Mexico.
Tan said President Marcos is on the right track in putting global cooperation at the forefront of his economic agenda as the Philippines emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.
"And our President is a firm believer in globalization, coming through the World Economic Forum, I think that his belief can be made known to a large audience and will give the Philippines a lot of credibility in the global community," he said.
Meanwhile, Sabin Aboitiz, president and CEO of the Aboitiz Group, lauded the President's economic vision for the country, which he said excites the private sector.
"So when you have that dual type of respect for each other, it excites people, and the President's belief in the private sector is very strong," he said.
Aboitiz, who leads the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), said the Philippine private sector is willing to partner with the big and best businesses overseas to realize the country's goals.
"So we're gonna need a lot of the funds to come into the agriculture. So we're gonna need a lot of the funds and the expertise from countries around the world," he noted.
"And so for us, the private sector, we can partner with the best in the world... to be able to solve problems and not band-aid but to structurally change so that it works for the generations to come and not just, you know, for three months or one year," he added.
With the structural reforms being initiated by the current government, coupled with the country's rosy economic prospects, Aboitiz said the Philippines, without a doubt, is the "next big thing in Asia."
Aboitiz and Tan are part of the seven Filipino business tycoons who flew to Davos to support Marcos' participation in the WEF.