Top global CEOs in town for Forbes forum

MANILA, Philippines - Some of the world’s top business leaders are in Manila for the opening of the 15th annual Forbes Global CEO Conference.

Around 400 CEOs will grace the three-day event which kicked off yesterday.  The conference will focus on how leaders of the world’s biggest companies conceive and articulate visions and inspire confidence among investors.

President Aquino is expected to hold a one-on-one dialogue with Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, on Wednesday.

The sessions will cover a diverse range of topics which include the outlook for the global financial markets, prospects in emerging markets and investment opportunities in sectors such as finance, technology, retail and real estate.

There will also be knowledge sharing on the best strategies for building a winning brand, leadership and philanthropy.

Held in Manila for the first time, the Forbes Global CEO Conference is held in various cities including Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Shanghai and Bali.

It is an annual gathering that serves as a high-level platform for CEOs, entrepreneurs, tycoons and thought leaders to build vital relationships as well as discuss and debate issues of global concern.

Hosts of the event are SM Investments Corp. / BDO Unibank, International Container Terminal Services. and San Miguel Corp.

Corporate sponsors include Berjaya Corp., Vista Land, Biomax Technologies, Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines, FICOFI and Weber Shandwick Worldwide.

Among the distinguished speakers for the conference are Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, SMIC vice chairman and BDO chairman Teresita Sy-Coson,ICTSI chairman and president Enrique K. Razon Jr., SMC president and COO Ramon Ang, Vista Land chairman Manuel Villar, and Ayala chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.