Disney top exec to visit Philippines this year

President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Walt Disney International chairman Andy Bird and vice president for Global Public Policy Jim Filippatos at the Grand Chateau of the Intercontinental Hotel for the series of business meeting during his Working Visit to Los Angeles, California, United States of America. Malacañang Photo Bureau / Benhur Arcayan

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III on Friday confirmed that the chairman of Walt Disney International is set to visit the Philippines this year as the company expressed its interest in doing business in the country.

"Bilang sagisag ng interes ng mga kumpanya, nakaplano pong bumisita sa Pilipinas ang chairman ng Walt Disney ngayong taon, at nagpahayag din po sila ng kagustuhang tumulong sa lalo pang pagpapalakas ng ating creative industry," Aquino said in his arrival statement after visiting California for the ASEAN-US Leaders Summit earlier this week.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. earlier said that Walt Disney chairperson Andy Bird told Aquino that the company is open to tapping into the talent pool of Filipinos.

Aquino met with the executives of Walt Disney International, Western Digital Corp. and Architecture, Engineering, Consulting, Operations and Maintenance (AECOM) in Los Angeles after his meeting with US President Barack Obama and other Southeast Asian leaders.

READ: Disney, 2 others eye Philippine venture

All three global companies have signified their preference for the Philippines as an investment venue.

"Nagpahayag din po ng intensyong magpalawak ng operasyon sa bansa ang kumpanyang Western Digital. Kinapanayam din po natin ang AECOM, na inaasahan nating magiging katuwang sa capacity-building ng ating mga kababayan pagdating sa imprastruktura," the president said.

The president also spoke before the Los Angeles World Affairs Council and met with the Filipino community in the area before ending his working visit in California.

Aquino, Obama and their counterparts in Southeast Asia released a joint declaration following their meeting at Sunnylands in Rancho Morage, California.

The leaders expressed their commitment to keeping peace in the disputed South China Sea and protecting freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.

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