THE Philippines will host the Forbes Asia Forum and the Forbes Global CEO Conference in 2024 which, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), would attract more foreign investors.
The PCO said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had agreed to host the twin events following a meeting with senior officials of the Forbes Media LCC at Malacañang on Thursday.
“I hope that in this conference and we can show the Philippines as it is now, as opposed to perhaps some of the ideas that people have had almost for a while,” President Marcos said during the meeting.
The President also said the government has been focusing on improving the country’s economy and enticing more investments in various areas such as digitalization, energy, connectivity, bureaucratic reforms, as well as infrastructure like roads and school buildings.
“I have the Filipino workforce that, for me, is still going to be, it has been a blessing. You know we have the youngest workforce in the region… they’re very well-trained English speaking,” the Chief Executive noted.
”The President, as he said, has embarked on a “charm offensive” as the Philippines needs to compete with other countries in the region, including Indonesia, Vietnam, China, and Japan. Those Forbes Media LCC top officials who met with the President include Forbes vice chairman Christopher Forbes, chief executive officer William Adamopoulos, Forbes Media Asia Pte. Ltd. Senior vice president Tina Wee, regional director Michelle Ong, and MMPR Media Group, Inc. country representative Marie Moñozca.
The conference, expected to be held in Manila sometime in the fourth quarter of 2024, will convene global chief executive officers, business tycoons, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to discuss key issues of international concern and build new partnerships. There will be a fireside chat between a senior Forbes editor and the host country’s leader.
The PCO said that this year’s global conference will take place in Singapore in September.
President Marcos was invited to participate in a fireside chat during the conference.
Meanwhile, the Forbes Asia Forum, which will feature Forbes Asia’s Best Under a Billion and Forbes Asia’s 100 to Watch, will be held in the fourth quarter of this year in Singapore as well.