President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday urged Cambodian business leaders to seize the momentum of growing ties between the two countries, saying entrepreneurs and investors hold the key to turning bilateral relations into tangible progress.
At the CEO B2B Networking Roundtable in Phnom Penh, Mr. Marcos spoke less like a head of state and more like a partner, urging collaboration, participants in the discussions noted.
He reminded executives that while governments set the stage with policy and infrastructure, it is business leaders who ultimately “move capital, create jobs, and deliver lasting impact on the ground.”
“With continued collaboration, I am confident that our economic ties will expand further. The future of our relationship lies not only in traditional industries, but also in emerging, high-impact sectors that will define the next phase of our development,” the President said.
The Philippine leader, on a three-day state visit to Cambodia, pointed to industries such as healthcare, education, logistics, infrastructure, and agro-processing as natural areas of cooperation.
He stressed that both countries would benefit not only from strengthening traditional sectors, but also by venturing into “high-impact” fields shaped by digital transformation and sustainability.
Mr. Marcos described consumer goods and franchising, for instance, as industries that directly touch people’s daily lives and can help lift communities in both nations.
The roundtable, organized by the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry alongside chambers of commerce from both countries, brought together executives eager to explore joint ventures and partnerships.
“In the Philippines, we view the business sector as an essential partner in national development,” the President said.
“While the government is focused on creating the enabling environment through stable policy, sound regulations, and strategic infrastructure, it is the private sector that moves capital, creates jobs, introduces technology, and delivers meaningful and lasting impact on the ground,” he added.
