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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Ripe with opportunities': Romualdez upbeat after Philippine hosting of WEF Country Roundtable 

'Ripe with opportunities': Romualdez upbeat after Philippine hosting of WEF Country Roundtable 

Published Mar 21, 2024 12:15 am

At A Glance

  • House Speaker Martin Romualdez can't help but feel bullish about the Philippines' prospects for foreign investments following the country's hosting of the two-day World Economic Forum (WEF) Country Roundtable.

IMG-64b2ed2b293390c3e2ac286ea5acdb77-V.jpgHouse Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez can't help but feel bullish about the Philippines' prospects for foreign investments following the country’s hosting of the two-day World Economic Forum (WEF) Country Roundtable.

“The WEF Country Roundtable amplifies our message of progress and prosperity, resonating with potential investors both at home and abroad," Romualdez said in a statement Wednesday, March 20.

"It reinforces the narrative of the Philippines as a dynamic and resilient economy, ripe with opportunities for those willing to partner with us in our journey towards shared prosperity,” he noted.

Among the participants of the WEF roundtable in the Philippines were top global executives from the private sector’s energy, infrastructure, finance, banking, telecommunications, and marketing industries.

Romualdez hosted the cocktails for the members of the delegation of the WEF CEO Roundtable late Tuesday afternoon, March 19 at the historic Laperal Mansion, which has been renovated by the Marcos administration and intended for use by visiting foreign leaders and dignitaries.

According to the Speaker, the WEF Country Roundtable magnifies the visibility of the Philippines as a prime destination for investment and underscores the commitment of the Marcos administration to fostering a conducive environment for economic growth and development.

“Moreover, the WEF Country Roundtable serves as a platform for meaningful dialogue on pressing economic issues, enabling us to exchange insights with global leaders and glean valuable lessons that can further enhance our investment climate,” noted the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president.

“By participating actively in these discussions, we reaffirm our dedication to sound governance, transparency, and inclusive growth,” he added.

Last January, Romualdez--upon the instruction of President Marcos--spearheaded the Philippine delegation to the WEF in its 2024 annual meet in Davos, Switzerland. He effectively laid down the groundwork for the staging of the WEF Country Roundtable here.

He noted that according to WEF President Børge Brende, the participation of President Marcos in the previous WEF meeting in January 2023 created a lot of interest and optimism in the Philippines, with numerous companies wanting to know more about its investment prospects.

Brende said the Philippines could remain bullish if it continues its current policy reforms, upgrade infrastructure, as well as invest in renewables and other areas.

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foreign investment World Economic Forum Martin Romualdez
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