President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Screenshot from RTVM)
MANILA – President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday (Manila time) sought partnership with investors from United States (US), as the Philippines further reopens its economy amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
In a business dialogue with members of the US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Business Council and the US Chamber of Commerce, Marcos expressed optimism that the Philippines would be able to forge deals with more American investors and business firms.
"We really have to leverage whatever assets, whatever capabilities, whatever we have so that we can maximize our ability to grow and to pull the economy. Let us find new ways," Marcos said during his meeting with the business leaders in New York City.
"Let us find new ways to partner. Let us find new ways to develop. Let us find new ways to strengthen this relationship between the United States, Asean and the Philippines. And in that way, the synergies that we will find in that kind of relationship will be to the benefit of us all," he added.
Marcos also discussed his administration's bilateral economic and investment agenda, according to a statement released by state-run Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) in a Facebook post.
For over three decades, the US-Asean Business Council has been serving as the premier advocacy organization for US corporations operating within the Asean.
The council also provides a platform for the US private sector to promote mutually beneficial trade and investment relations between the US and Southeast Asia, the leading investment destination of American businesses in the Indo-Pacific.
The US Chamber of Commerce, on the other hand, is an assembly of small businesses and chambers of commerce across the US that support communities, leading industry organizations and international corporations that innovate and provide solutions to global challenges, and the emerging and fast-growing industries.
Since its founding, the organization has advocated for policies that help businesses generate jobs and grow the economy.
'Enlightening' meet with food corporation
Meantime, Marcos also shared in his official Facebook page that he had an "enlightening" meeting with the executives of American global food corporation Cargill on the fourth day of his working visit to the US.
Marcos said he and Cargill executives discussed possible cooperation in the field of agriculture.
"We discussed how to attain food security and self-sufficiency, and explored ways to boost agricultural productivity in the Philippines," he said.
Marcos' meeting with top officials of Cargill happened after his participation in the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
During his speech delivered before UN member-states, Marcos emphasized the importance of the agriculture sector and food security in the development of the Philippines.
Operating for over 155 years, Cargill provides agricultural products, and farming services and risk management solutions worldwide.
To date, it has around 155,000 employees serving customers and communities in over 70 countries or regions through safe, responsible and sustainable means.
Apart from Cargill, Marcos also held a series of meeting with other officials of American companies during his working visit in the US. (PNA)
