Noy to meet Suu Kyi on sidelines of WEF

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will meet with Myanmar President Thein Sein and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia in Naypyidaw on Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Aquino and Thein Sein will discuss the strengthening of economic cooperation between the two countries and Myanmar’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2014.

The DFA said the President will exchange views with opposition leader Suu Kyi on Myanmar’s developments and on how to make full use of the legislative framework to effect meaningful change.

It will be Aquino’s first visit to Myanmar. It is also the first visit by a Philippine president since 1997.

Aquino will invite foreign businessmen to invest in the country’s tourism, agriculture and infrastructure during the forum.

“The main reason for attending the forum this year is to continue to invite foreign investors to come to the Philippines and, of course, to attract tourists as well. The agenda of the Aquino administration is to generate inclusive growth, and we can do that by inviting investors who can create jobs to sustain the anti-poverty programs that we have begun,” Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said yesterday.

The President will leave on Friday morning and will return in the evening after meeting with business leaders and inviting the delegates to attend the WEF on East Asia to be held in the Philippines next year.

“By tradition, the incoming host personally invites the delegates to their summit,” Carandang said.

 He said the WEF will be an opportunity for the President to continue his sales pitch for the Philippines as an investment destination.

The President will be accompanied by Carandang, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, National Economic and Development Authority director general Arsenio Balisacan, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez and Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Alex Chua.

Carandang said there will be no official business delegation but the Zobel de Ayalas, who are longstanding members of the WEF, may bring along some business people to explore opportunities during the forum.