(L-R) Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, WEF gestures while President Benigno Aquino III, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Myanmar Vice President U Nyan Tun look on during the World Economic Forum in Makati Shagri-la on Thursday. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE/INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines – The 23rd World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia did not only serve as the “coming-out-party” of the Philippines but was also a “fruitful” educational experience for its officials and businessmen, a Malacanang official said Friday.
“This has become a very fruitful experience for us,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the last day of the forum held at the Makati Shangri-La.
He said government officials also learned a lot by attending the conferences and interacting with their foreign counterparts. Lacierda said they acquired a lot of information from the experiences of other countries and businesses.
“It has been a good day for us,” he said, adding that the day before served as recognition on the achievements of the administration.
President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday, together with top officials of Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar, addressed more than 600 delegates of the WEF. He tackled the government’s work over the past few years and how it is addressing the need for inclusive growth.
Lacierda said the whole event ran smoothly and “seamless.” He added that some of the things they learned from working with the WEF team and other concerned organizations can be applied to their preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, which will also be held in the Philippines, in 2015.
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