President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
MANILA – There is a growing interest from Australian companies to invest in the Philippines, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reported following his visit to Melbourne, Australia.
“This interest is confirmed in Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 where four key sectors were identified as investment priorities in the Philippines, to wit, agriculture and food, education and skills, resources, and green transition,” Marcos said in a video message uploaded on state-run Radio Television Malacañang early Thursday morning.
“Their strong interest is an indication that we are on the right track to position ourselves as a hub for smart and sustainably-driven manufacturing and services,” he added.
Marcos arrived in Manila at around 11:34 p.m. on Wednesday, after his participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a separate statement.
In his arrival statement, Marcos said securing 12 business agreements valued at USD1.53 billion is one of the successful outcomes of his Melbourne trip.
The investment deals cover sectors such as renewable energy, clean technology, recycling solutions, housing, IT-BPM infrastructure, medical devices, and digital health services, Marcos said.
“We received strong commitments from some Australian companies in support of our renewable energy and digitalization initiatives,” he said.
Marcos also expressed confidence that he was able to advance the Philippines’ interest in engaging external partners, noting that the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit provided an avenue to discuss the country’s key positions on regional and international issues.
The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit is the first leader-level engagement under the Chairmanship of Lao PDR.
Marcos said he is confident that the Philippines has “set the right tone” for regional discussions, adding that the country remains committed to continuing constructive engagements with ASEAN and Australia.
“The Summit provided an opportunity to discuss regional and international issues and how ASEAN and individual member states such as the Philippines may contribute to the peace, security, and prosperity of our immediate neighborhood: the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
Marcos said he also had the chance to deliver a keynote speech at the Lowy Institute to present the Philippines’ perspective on Peace and Resilience Amidst great Power Rivalries, as well as to meet with the prime ministers of New Zealand to exchange views on matters affecting their respective countries and the region.
He added that he met with the Filipino community in Melbourne to seek their support for his administration’s agenda for social and economic transformation to make the country a “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines). (PNA)
