PROMISING to bring with him the country’s hopes and aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific region, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. departed for Thailand Wednesday to participate in the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), his first as Philippine leader.
In his departure statement delivered at the Villamor Air Base, the President said his goal is to unlock economic potential, digitalize the country’s participation in the digital economy, and sustainable development, as well as address the climate change crisis, among others.
“Ang dala natin sa ganitong mga summit at mga meeting [ay] ang ating mga pangarap,” said the President in his departure speech.
The President will also be engaging with other leaders on how to tackle food and energy security and the economic inclusion of the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), among others.
In addition to his attendance at APEC meetings, the President and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos are expected to meet King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, who graciously granted a royal audience for the APEC Leaders and Spouses.
President Marcos will also meet with Thai business leaders on the APEC sidelines to invite investments and seek business opportunities, promote Philippine exports and discuss the administration’s economic agenda.
The chief executive will be participating in a panel discussion on “The Global Economy and the Future of APEC” and among select APEC Leaders invited to speak at the annual gathering of top chief executive officers (CEOs) from across the APEC region.
Bilateral meetings were also arranged for President Marcos with some economic leaders and heads of state to discuss the strengthening of diplomatic relations.
The President will also meet with the Filipino community in Thailand.
“APEC remains one of the Philippines’ prime platforms to engage the economies in the Asia-Pacific region. The importance of this region to us cannot be overstated,” the President pointed out.
The region hosts 38 percent of the world’s population, 48 percent of its trade and 62 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP).
Asia-Pacific also hosts the largest segments of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), with the Philippine regional trade accounting for 85 percent, providing Filipino consumers access to goods and services from the region.
At the same time, it also gives Filipino farmers, laborers, businessmen and MSMEs export market for their goods and services in the region.
