DTI chief meets with potential investors in Davos

Trade Secretary Alfred Pascual met with senior executives of companies with business interests in the Philippines, pitching the country to potential investors who are looking to establish or expand operations in the country.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday said a series of bilateral meetings with senior company executives were held on Jan 16, the first day of the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, which is currently in its 53rd iteration.

“We have met with several business executives and presented our country as an ideal investment destination in Asia. Similarly, we shared with them our improved business climate, which was fueled by the recent economic policy reforms that facilitate ease of doing business,” Pascual said in a statement,

“We see WEF as an opportunity to gather more (foreign direct investments) that will complement our country’s economic recovery initiatives”, he added.

These firms include open online course provider Coursera, multinational energy corporation Chevron, communications satellite operator and manufacturer Astranis, and technology startup She Loves Tech.

The DTI said Pascual also met with Sean Doherty, WEF Head of International Trade and Investment and an executive committee member to discuss potential partnerships.

The Philippine trade secretary will also be joining the CEO Dialogue on the Philippines with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as keynote speaker.

“The dialogue will highlight the administration’s initiatives on energy, food security, and digitalization to add resilience and growth momentum to the country’s economy through public-private collaboration,” the DTI said.

Pascual will also be speaking as a contributor in a number of WEF sessions including the discussions on micro, small, and medium corporations (MSMEs), industrial strategies, as well as trade and investment leadership.

He will represent the Philippines in several ministerial-level meetings of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on e-commerce, investment facilitation for development, and climate change.