Davao International Airport, Davao City
November 23, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte arrived at the Davao International Airport following his participation to the 24th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima, Peru from November 19-20, 2016.

In his message, the President reported that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were set as the priority and backbone of the 21 APEC member economies.

“To make our MSMEs grow from local actors to global players, we must provide a supportive policy framework that ensures an enabling environment for all businesses to thrive and flourish,” he said.

During the 24th APEC in Peru, the official delegation of the Philippines, represented by President Duterte’s Cabinet Secretaries, presented in detail the priority areas for economic cooperation and investments.

The Chief Executive also gave directions to the chairman of the Social Security System (SSS) to touch base with Canadian stakeholders and learn from the success of the Ontario Pension Fund in order to provide Filipino pensioners with more benefits and with greater financial stability, security, and sustained growth.

In improving telecommunications services, the President declared open the country’s information and communications technology industry to new players.

“Bubuksan ko ang Pilipinas sa ibang competitors (foreign telecommunications companies)… We are now also looking into regulatory requirements and institutional arrangements to hasten the entry of new players in the power industry and energy sector,” he said.

In addition, President Duterte said that he is welcoming the Russian Federation government’s invitation for a visit and had instructed Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. and National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to make an advance visit to the said country.

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