Terminal 2, NAIA
9 September 2012

President  Benigno S. Aquino III arrived this afternoon at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 after his attendance in the recently concluded APEC 2012 Leaders’ Week held in Russky Island, Vladivostok.

In  his message, President Aquino summed up the prospective gains and support he was able to ensure for the country during his two-day attendance in the APEC Leaders’ Week. “Sa kabuuan, matagumpay nating naipabatid ang bagong mukha ng Pilipinas: mas bukas para sa negosyo’t oportunidad, mas patas para sa mga handang mamuhunan, at mas maaliwalas na sentro ng komersyo’t pangangalakal, hindi lamang sa Asya Pasipiko, kundi sa buong mundo,” he said.

President Aquino also reported that Chile President Sebastian Piñera has expressed his desire to deepen Chile’s bilateral ties with the Philippines. “Inimbitahan niya tayong mamuhunan sa kanilang bansa, at ibahagi ang ating dunong at teknolohiya sa pagbuo at pangangasiwa ng mga geothermal power plants. Bukod dito, nais din nilang magpapasok ng mga Pilipinong guro sa Chile, at higit pang patibayin ang ating ugnayan sa larangan ng aquaculture at pagmimina,” the President said.

Other countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, have expressed their support to the Philippines especially on issues surrounding the disputed West Philippine Sea.

The  President also discussed some of the initiatives and strategies country leaders have sworn to commit during their APEC Business Advisory Council meeting to ensure a strong, sustainable and balanced economic growth in the Asia Pacific. This includes a ten percent improvement in supply-chain performance by 2015 and strategies that will usher in a robust international trade in the region. The  Asia Pacific region currently accounts for 55% of world GDP and about 49% of world trade.

*  *  *