P-Noy arrives in Davos, seeks better ties with Europe

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino arrived in Davos, Switzerland yesterday for the World Economic Forum (WEF).

He will speak on the Philippines’ anti-corruption efforts and seek better ties with European and other countries.

In a statement, Malacañang said Aquino arrived around 1 p.m. on board a chartered Philippine Airlines flight at the Zurich-Kloten International Airport with a 63-member delegation led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Trade and Industry’s Gregory Domingo, and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

In his departure speech on Wednesday night, Aquino said his attendance at the WEF would provide an opportunity to showcase before European and international business leaders the accomplishments of his administration in implementing meaningful reforms in governance.

“We will give face to the good news that they have been getting from foreign television channels and newspapers and explain how we managed to push the economy as a result of good governance,” he said.

Aquino said he will highlight the gains of the Philippine economy in posting a 7.1 percent growth rate during the third quarter of 2012, the strengthening of the peso, the lowering of interest rates and the surging Philippine Stock Exchange index.

He will exhaust every moment to invite potential investors to put up businesses in the Philippines and take advantage of the industry and brilliance of Filipinos, he added.

Aquino said his trip to Switzerland was timely given the global economic slowdown and the need for the Philippines to get more investments and tourists.

His attendance at the WEF and the corresponding chances to meet with heads of state from Europe and the world would allow them to further strengthen relations, he added.

Aquino said leaders from different countries rarely get the chance to be together and should not miss the chance to boost ties with each other.

He will also meet with the Filipino community in Switzerland before returning to Manila, Aquino said.

An estimated 10,000 Filipinos are living and working in Switzerland. – With Ding Cervantes