Equitable, Euromoney host forum

The Euromoney, an international finance leading publication, and Equitable PCI Bank co-hosted the Philippine Investment Conference recently, a forum for local and international investors and business heads to discuss and debate investment issues in the country.

The conference, held at the Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort in Cebu, was attended by senior executives from leading national and international corporations, senior officials from government agencies, local and international institutional investors, and other key players in the international finance, banking and investment community.

It highlighted on potential investment opportunities to be found in the Philippines.

The agenda for the two-day affair included the opening keynote address of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, panel discussions on subjects such as a new outlook for the Philippines, investing in equity, opportunities and pitfalls, strengthening the financial sector, developing the debt markets, capitalizing on the energy and power sectors, and workshops on tourism sector, infrastructure sector, outsourcing and call centers, and the mining sector.

Almost 600 delegates attended the conference. Equitable chairman Antonio L. Go in his opening remarks warmly welcomed the delegates to the investment conference with encouraging words.

"There is no question that the country can succeed with the human capital and other intangible assets that the Philippines possess. With a little more entrepreneurial spirit, a better business environment and the additional support of government, we can transform potential into reality. In this new time of economic renewal, I sense the will of everyone here to supply these missing ingredients. Therefore, I have no doubt that this conference will be a tremendous success," Go said.

Attendees as speakers and panelists included top level government officials and high profile executives from leading companies, including: Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri, Ayala Corp. president and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II, Jollibee Foods Corp. president and chief executive officer Tony Tan Caktiong, PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, Philippine Stock Exchange chairman Alicia Rita Morales Arroyo, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairperson Fe Barin, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr., Energy Secretary Vincent Perez, Pilipinas Shell chairman and president Edgar O. Chua, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace H. Durano, UBS Asia chairman Rodney Ward, Benguet Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez, and Equitable president and chief executive officer Rene J. Buenaventura.