ZURICH, Switzerland — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s investment pitch for the Philippines received "a very positive response" from some of the world's top chief executives and investment experts, Malacañang said.
In a statement, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said this took place during a dinner hosted for Marcos by Grab Chairman and CEO Anthony Tan at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
Among those present during the dinner on Monday evening were:
- Luhut Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs, Republic of Indonesia
- Andy Jassy, CEO, Amazon
- Jared Kushner, Founder, Affinity Partners
- Patrick Foulis, Editor-in-Chief, Economist
- Alan Jope, CEO, Unilever
- Bill Ford, CEO, General Atlantic, an equity firm
- Molly Ford, Wife of Bill Ford
- Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment, Republic of Indonesia
- Dr. Bambang Susantono, Chairman of ID New Capital City Authority
- Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Minister of Thailand
- Jaime Bautista, Philippine Secretary of Transportation
- Arsjad Rasjid, Chairman, KADIN
- Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Executive Chairman, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
- Dolf van den Brink, CEO, Heineken
- Rachel Lord, Head of Asia, BlackRock, an investment firm.
Speaker Martin Romualdez, who was present during the dinner, said, "everyone was excited about the Philippine recovery story and agreed that it is the future investor haven for western capital."
LOOK: President Marcos joins world business leaders at a dinner in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday evening. Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, citing Speaker Martin Romualdez, said Marcos's investment pitch for PH received positive response. @manilabulletin ( PCO) pic.twitter.com/90CseLp2Tp
— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) January 17, 2023
Seven of the Philippines' top business tycoons flew to Davos to support Marcos' inaugural participation in the annual WEF. These are:
- Sabin Aboitiz (Aboitiz)
- Kevin Andrew Tan (Alliance Global)
- Jaime Zobel de Ayala (Ayala Group)
- Lance Gokongwei (JG Summit Holdings)
- Ramon Ang (San Miguel Corp.)
- Teresita Sy-Coson (SM Investments)
- Enrique Razon (International Container Terminal)
In an interview, Allisnce Global CEO Kevin Andrew Tan said the country's seven largest corporations flying to Davos sends a strong signal that the Philippines is open for business.
"I think this is a good chance for us to showcase the whole story of the Philippines as a country," he said.
"I think President Marcos has been very effective in showcasing the Philippines' strength and that the government is open to partnerships with other governments and the private sector. We are here trying to bring in foreign investments," he added.
President Marcos and his official delegation, composed of government officials and business leaders, arrived in Switzerland on Sunday afternoon (Sunday evening Philippine time).
The World Economic Forum is hosting a Country Strategy Dialogue for the Philippines. Marcos said this is an opportunity to promote the country as a leader, driver of growth, and gateway to the Asia-Pacific region.