Binay to attend investment forum in Malaysia

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay will leave for Kuala Lumpur on Sunday to attend the Philippine-Malaysia investment partnership forum to be held from May 27 to 29.

Binay, presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) concerns, is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Minister of International Trade and Industry YB Dato Sri Mustapa Bin Mohamed, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Sri Anifah Aman and former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad.

“I am confident that my visit to Malaysia will further strengthen the economic and diplomatic ties between our countries. It is an excellent opportunity to bring the good news about the Philippines to the leaders and ranking officials of Malaysia led by the Prime Minister and to their business community,” Binay said.

The investment forum, which is co-organized by the Philippine embassy, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Alumni Association of Malaysia (Kelab AIM) and the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI), will bring together various business leaders from the Philippines and Malaysia to exchange ideas on how to further enhance economic and investment partnership.

Business guru and AIM founder Washington Sycip will give a lecture to formally inaugurate the Professor Gabby Mendoza Management Lecture Series during lunch.

The Genting Group is the main sponsor of the forum, while Petron Corp. is the strategic partner. 

Alloy MTD Group (formerly MTD Capital Berhad) is a corporate sponsor, and Resorts World Manila will host the luncheon lecture.

Binay will also interact with Chief Scout Dato Sri Dr. HJ Shafie B. HJ. Mohd Saleh and members of the Scouts Association of Malaysia, in his capacity as national president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and concurrent chairman of Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee of the World Organization of Scout Movement, the umbrella organization of all Scout organizations in the world.

While in Malaysia, Binay will also be attending the inauguration of the newly renovated Philippine embassy.

“The Philippines and Malaysia are next-door neighbors and ASEAN partners. It is important that the national leaders of the two countries interact as frequently as possible, in order to fully tap the various potentials in the bilateral relations, starting with two-way trade and investments,” Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya said.

After his visit to Malaysia, Binay will proceed to the United States where he will attend several official activities from May 30 to June 4.

Binay is slated to be the closing speaker at the 5th Global Housing Finance Conference at the World Bank headquarters in Washington and is expected to meet with World Bank executive director Rogerio Studart.

Binay will also hold a dialog with the Filipino community in Washington and is scheduled to meet with Ambassador Luis de Baca of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, State Department.

From Washington, Binay will fly to California where he will also be the guest of honor and speaker at 114th Philippine Independence Day celebration organized by the Philippine Independence Coordinating Council of Southern California. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Pia Lee-Brago