Partnerships and the path to prosperity

GO NEGOSYO PILIPINAS

- JOEY CONCEPCION

After being away for about a month, I made it a point to mark my return trip with the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS). This year, it was held in Lao PDR.

At this gathering, I had the pleasure of introducing President Marcos as he delivered his keynote speech before the ASEAN leaders and private sector. Not that he needed any introduction. The President himself has often said that he considers himself the Philippines's chief salesman, a role he has fully embraced.

In his address, President Marcos spoke at length about the current and future projects in the Philippines. His vision encompassed a wide array of sectors, including digital and physical infrastructure, disaster resilience, energy, industry, and of course, investments. The breadth and depth of his plans indicated that progress in one sector inevitably ripples out to benefit others.

The ABIS is where innovative collaborations between the private sector and policymakers are initiated. It's a unique space where business leaders and government officials can engage in frank discussions, share insights, and forge partnerships. Given the context of the event and the audience, it was no surprise that the President emphasized how the Philippines has enacted key reforms. Foremost among these is the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code, which is designed to ease the way for transformative partnerships.