NAIA Terminal II, Pasay City
7 June 2013 

Members of the Cabinet and other government officials expressed their well wishes to President Benigno S. Aquino III as he left for the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to participate in the 22nd World Economic Forum on East Asia.

In his departure speech, the Chief Executive noted the importance of his attendance to the event since the Philippines will be hosting the said forum in 2014. He emphasized that this is the best time to showcase the country’s continuing economic growth performance in Southeast Asia, as well as to encourage businessmen not to waste the opportunity of investing in the region’s “brightest spark”.

He said that he looks forward to his bilateral meeting with Myanmar President U Thein Sein to discuss ways of pursuing cooperation in the areas of trade, politics and security between the two countries. He is also eager to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar’s National League for Democracy and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, who he admires for her unwavering commitment in pushing for democracy in her nation.

“Sa ganitong mga biyahe, hindi natin kailanman kinakalimutan ang pangunahing pakay namin bilang mga lingkod-bayan: Ang mag-uwi ng mas marami pang makabuluhang pagkakataon para sa mga Pilipino, at ibandila ang bagong mukha ng Pilipinas – isang bansang handang makipagbayanihan sa ibang nasyon tungo sa maaliwalas na ekonomiya’t pagnenegosyo; isang bansang tunay na nagniningning at tinitingala ng mundo,” President Aquino concluded.

The President and the rest of the Philippine delegation boarded Philippine Airlines flight PR001 at 8:00 AM. He is set to return to the country past midnight of 8 June 2013.

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