| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re World Economic Forum |
| The Davos Annual Meeting of the World
Economic Forum is presented as an opportunity for leaders - from government, business,
academe, media and civil society - to "shape the global agenda for 2007 and make
change happen." The participation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo provides her the opportunity as chair of the ASEAN to draw attention to the ASEAN Agenda among global leaders and decision-makers and highlight the progress we are making towards economic integration. Coming at the heels of our successful hosting of the ASEAN Summit, the Davos meetings will enable the Philippines as ASEAN chair to present the emergence of the ASEAN community as a formidable bloc as it celebrates 40 years of existence. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re World Economic Forum |
| While in Davos, she will open the
working luncheon of the World Economic Forum whose theme is "ASEAN's Economic
Roadmap." Later in the evening, she will be one of the discussants on "ASEAN's
40 Years - a New Future." Other participating country leaders are PM Badawi of Malaysia and PM Nguyen Tan Dung of Vietnam. She will also take the opportunity to meet with various business groups who have present or potential investments in the Philippines. |
| PGMA leaves tomorrow for Davos annual meeting of World Economic Forum |
| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
leaves early tomorrow for Switzerland to attend the Davos annual meeting of the World
Economic Forum and meet with leaders of government, the academe, business, media and civil
society to "shape the global agenda for 2007 and make change happen,"
Malacaņang said in a statement this afternoon. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said the President's participation in the global forum will provide her the opportunity as "chair of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to draw attention to the ASEAN Agenda among global leaders and decision-makers and highlight the progress we are making towards economic integration." He said that coming on the wake of the Philippines' successful hosting of the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the "Davos meetings will enable the Philippines as ASEAN chair to present the emergence of the ASEAN community as a formidable bloc as it celebrates 40 years of existence." Bunye added that in Davos, the President will open the working lunch of the World Economic Forum whose theme is "ASEAN's Economic Roadmap." She will also be one of the discussants later in the evening on the topic, "ASEAN's 40 Years - A New Future." Other ASEAN leaders participating in the Davos meetings include Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. While in Davos, the President will hold meetings with various business groups and other potential investors in the Philippines. |