Key government officials, including Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque, and delegates from the private sector are set to push for more investments to the Philippines in the upcoming World Economic Forum (WEF).
Recto, who was appointed as the special envoy of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., will head the Philippine delegation at the WEF in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from Jan. 20 to 24, 2025.
In a statement on Monday, Recto said his role is to secure more investments that will drive inclusive economic growth in the Philippines.
Under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting will bring together nearly 3,000 high-level delegates from across 130 countries, including heads of state, government officials, top business executives, and influential figures from international organizations.
Recto said he is keen on attracting investments that will develop the country’s high-impact industries, improve the logistics backbone, boost the workforce, and expand Artificial Intelligence (AI) and financial inclusion initiatives.
“These investments are aimed to create more jobs for Filipinos, increase their incomes, and reduce poverty to ensure meaningful and inclusive economic progress for the country,” he explained.
The finance chief shared that he is scheduled to hold one-on-one meetings with top global companies—including banks, manufacturers, and technology companies—to discuss investment and expansion opportunities.
He will be joined by the top executives of the Philippines’ leading companies.
A delegation of Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc. (Mynt) officials will participate in the meetings, composed of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Martha Sazon, Chief Strategy Officer Rowena Zamora, Vice President (VP) and Group Head of New Businesses Winsley Royce Bangit, VP and Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Gilda Patricia Maquilan, Public Affairs Strategy Head Ms. Mary Grethel de Leon-Baltazar, and Strategy Head Jose Mari Antonio Mercado.
Other executives that will attend include LT Group Inc. President Lucio Tan III, LT Group Inc. Director and President of Asia Brewery Inc. Michael Tan. Grab Philippines Chief Corporate Officer Sherielysse Bonifacio, and Benguet Corporation Director Maria Remedios Romualdez-Pompidou.
During the forum, Recto will host an economic briefing for global investors at the Philippine Breakfast Interaction. He will be joined by Roque, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Ambassador and Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Manuel Antonio Teehankee.
According to the DOF, the event aims to showcase the country’s “promising potential as the next big investment destination,” especially with the recent enactment of the Republic Act (RA) No. 12066 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act.
Championing trade development
DTI’s Roque, meanwhile, said her attendance at the WEF reinforces the Philippines’ active role in global trade and investment dialogues.
She said this is a testament to the Marcos administration’s "Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines)" agenda where initiatives are rolled out to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth for all Filipinos.
“This year’s WEF presents a unique platform to showcase the Philippines as a dynamic and resilient economy, driven by innovation and inclusivity,” the DTI chief said in a separate statement.
“Our participation underscores our commitment to strengthening international partnerships that uplift Philippine industries to thrive in the global marketplace.” she added.
Roque said her itinerary at the global forum will include bilateral meetings with prominent multinational companies, leaders, and government counterparts.
She is also slated to take part in panel discussions about trade and investment, innovative trade financing, digital economy agreements, and industry strategies for adopting digital solutions and sustainable practices.
“I am honored to represent the Philippines at these crucial discussions to highlight our strategic priorities, including the diversification of exports and the digitalization of our local industries,” noted Roque.
Founded in 1971, the WEF serves as the primary international organization for public-private cooperation.
According to its website, the WEF is a global, impartial, and not-for-profit platform that fosters meaningful connections among stakeholders to establish trust and build initiatives for cooperation and progress.