PHL needs to leave positive impression in APEC hosting

(Photo from Twitter)

MANILA—The pressure is on the Philippine government to leave a positive impression to its guests in the concluding events of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 Summit this month.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory L. Domingo said it is an opportune time for the Philippines to receive high-level delegates from governments and business communities in the Asia Pacific through its APEC hosting to showcase the economic growth of the country as well as opportunities in the local market.

The premier business forum in the region, APEC CEO Summit, will be held in Manila from Nov. 16 to 17 while the 21 economic leaders or heads of states from member economies are expected to gather here from Nov. 18 to 19 for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM).

The AELM will be the concluding event for the 44 APEC meetings hosted by the country this year.

“(In) these particular meetings, the most important is the impression we leave to our visitors — the economic leaders and business leaders. We have to make a positive impression to these guys,” said Domingo.

He added that the Philippines’ APEC hosting this year is well-timed with the country’s robust economic growth which can attract business leaders to expand trade and investment activities here and for economic leaders to explore stronger economic ties with the Philippines.

He also said that through APEC hosting, the Philippines can prove its potential to be one of the top 20 largest economy in the world by 2050, as projected by reputable banking companies Goldman Sachs and HSBC.

“The Philippines is in a very good position in moving forward, not only from the country’s view but from financial institutions and economists also. The Philippines is in a long-term strong growth trajectory,” the DTI chief said.

“Definitely, APEC is very important because this is one of the few opportunities for our leader, for the Philippines to interact with other economic leaders… They (economic leaders) do have bilateral meetings. You hardly get that unless you will have state visit,” the official added.

The APEC Summit this year will be the sixth and last APEC meeting that will be attended by President Benigno S. Aquino III during his administration.

To provide convenient travel to APEC delegates in their visit in the Philippines, some of the major roads in Metro Manila are designated for APEC use only while many airline companies have announced flight cancellation during the AEL Week from Nov. 16 to 20 to avoid congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Malacañan Palace likewise announced suspension of classes and work in Metro Manila during the said week.

It is the second time for the Philippines to host an APEC Summit, the first was in 1996. It is expected to host the event after 21 years.

APEC is composed of 21 member economies including Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam.