Duterte to Apec leaders: ‘PH open for business’

DUTERTE

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he would encourage more investors to do business in the Philippines in his attendance at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Lima, Peru.

“My message to Apec will be clear: The Philippines is open for business. We will do everything to make sure that business, particularly our MSMEs (micro, small, medium enterprises), will thrive and flourish,” Duterte said during his pre-departure speech at the Davao International Airport yesterday.

“I will highlight government policy support as well as efforts to address corruption and criminality as building blocks of a strong and resilient economy aimed at inclusive and continued growth,” he added.

The President said he would present during the economic leaders’ meeting his administration’s 10-point Socio-Economic Program.

“In the meetings, I will bring to the fore key components of my 10-point Socio-Economic Program, particularly improvements in doing business through more efficient and responsive governance, massive investments in new infrastructure, a new focus on the rural development and increased investments in human capital,” he said.

“We must harness the potential of this huge region to ensure that no one, especially our citizens, are left behind in the march for greater progress and prosperity. Our people are at the core of our program on inclusive growth and sustainable development. We will spare no effort to realize this in the context of Apec,” he added.

The 71-year-old chief executive assured Filipinos that the government would continue to work hard, comparing the Philippines’ progress to an airplane which remained on the runway for years.

“As I have said before, your government is working very hard to make sure that our economy will finally take flight,” he said.
The Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting is scheduled on November 19 to 20 in Lima, Peru.