Music Room, Malacañan Palace
13 July 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte received the Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao in a courtesy call to discuss the ADB’s support to the administration’s 10-point economic agenda.

In a press release, Mr. Nakao commended the President’s early efforts to consult the private sector in order to ensure a level playing field for all businesses, and uplift the lives of poor Filipinos.

“I was very impressed with President Duterte’s clear messages on building confidence on public service delivery, respecting contracts and transactions already approved and awaiting implementation, removing red tape, and fighting corruption,” said Mr. Nakao.

He added that the ADB will work closely with the new administration to help institute a more progressive tax system and tax administration, increase competitiveness and the ease of doing business, accelerate infrastructure development with public-private partnerships, promote rural development and value chains, invest in human capital such as health and education, and strengthen social protection through conditional cash transfers.

The ADB President was accompanied by Chief Advisor Naoya Jinda, South East Asia Department Deputy Director General Noriko Ogawa, Philippine Country Office Director Richard Bolt and Principal Country Specialist Joven Balbosa.

Established in 1966, the ADB assists its members and partners by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development. It is composed of 67 members, with 48 coming from the Asia and Pacific region.

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