Marcos to pitch PH as ‘reliable investment hub’ at APEC summit – envoy

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

Marcos will take part in the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, joining leaders, senior officials, and top business leaders of the 21-member bloc – a region accounting for 46 percent of global trade and 61 percent of the world’s gross domestic product. (PCO photo)

BUSAN, South Korea – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will use the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit here to push the Philippines as a “reliable partner” for global investments, Philippine Ambassador-designate Bernadette Therese Fernandez said Thursday.

Marcos will take part in the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, joining leaders, senior officials, and top business leaders of the 21-member bloc – a region accounting for 46 percent of global trade and 61 percent of the world’s gross domestic product.

“Some of the important interventions that he may convey for the Philippines would be that the Philippines is ready for investments. But we are not only ready, we are also reliable,” Fernandez said in an interview with state-run RTVM ahead of the summit.

Marcos will highlight the country’s capacity to meet the demands of both multinational and homegrown firms, underscoring his administration’s commitment to transparency, predictability, and partnership, she said.

On the sidelines of APEC, Marcos is also expected to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to reaffirm the two nations’ Strategic Partnership signed last year.

The diplomat said both leaders had spoken by phone, sharing common ground on labor rights and inclusive growth.

She noted that South Korea is the Philippines’ fifth-largest trading partner, with roughly 70,000 Filipinos living and working across the country, many in factories, education, and creative industries.

“We like it that the President, when he goes out of the country, always puts the Filipino people first on the agenda,” Fernandez said.

Upon arrival on Thursday, Marcos will proceed to a meeting with the Filipino community in Busan, before joining APEC-related activities on Friday.

In his departure statement, the President said he intends to use the “high-stakes” gathering to reaffirm that the Philippines is “not merely ready” but is “a reliable, forward-looking partner in the Asia-Pacific.”

“Invest in the Filipino,” he said.