2018: A good year promoting the Philippines

When I assumed my post as Philippine Ambassador to the United States in November 2017, one of the key messages that I wanted to emphasize to the members of the business community, think-tanks and key organizations in Washington, D.C. is that the Philippines remains open for business, and offers one of the most dynamic and competitive environments for trade and investments in Asia.

At a high-level lunch organized by the Washington, D.C.-based Potomac Exchange, I had the opportunity to engage in a lively discussion with members of the US business community and addressed a select group of senior executives from leading US global companies — many of whom have a long relationship with the Philippines — such as Fluor Corp., The Coca-Cola Company, FedEx, Oracle and Smithfield Foods. The Potomac Exchange is a private membership organization of executives from select, leading global firms with Katherine Moss as president.

Providing a comprehensive briefing on the Philippine economy.

I provided a comprehensive update on the economy of the Philippines and its continued strong performance, the comprehensive tax reform program and key developments related to the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure agenda to the executives present that include FedEx managing director for international regulatory affairs Greg Stofko, Oracle  senior director for international relations and government affairs Prosser Stirling, Smithfield Foods vice president for government affairs Mike Skahill, with US-Philippines Society executive director Hank Hendrickson joining us.

We touched on the recent passage of the US BUILD (Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development) Act and expressed confidence that it will help enable US companies to engage in infrastructure projects not only in the Philippines but in the whole ASEAN region. The discussion included a robust exchange of ideas and sharing of relevant information on a wide range of topics that were of interest to the US companies, among them smart cities and the Clark Green City project, the Philippine government’s efforts to achieve universal healthcare and other governance issues involving anti-money laundering and migration policies.

Greeting Oracle senior director for international relations and government affairs Prosser Stirling while Potomac Exchange president Katherine Moss (right) looks on.

The Potomac Exchange was an excellent venue to provide “an informative update on government initiatives to provide greater opportunities for American investment in the Philippines,” as Hank Hendrikson noted, with leading US companies drawing on their experiences to cite the many advantages of doing business in the Philippines in the areas of insurance, technology, health, infrastructure, banking and many others. 

The occasion was very encouraging as it allowed me to emphasize the strengthened relationship between the Philippines and the US, with executives also cognizant of the fact that the ties that bind the two countries are long-standing, deep and extensive. The US business community is an important partner in strengthening the economic, people-to-people and political ties between our two nations — and I am proud to say that 2018 was indeed a good productive year for our Philippine Embassy economic team in Washington, D.C.

Pleased to meet FedEx managing director for international regulatory affairs Greg Stofko. Looking on is Smithfield Foods VP for government affairs Mike Skahill.