Palace hopes hosting of ADB meet will put PHL in a more positive light

Malacañang on Wednesday expressed hope the Philippines’ hosting of the 45th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors would put the country in a more positive light before the international community.

 

“We are hoping that all of this will lead to a more positive image of the Philippines overseas and hopefully also, more business deals that will help our economy move forward and create more jobs,” said Ricky Carandang, head of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office.

 

Carandang said being the venue for this year’s meeting, Manila would be able to highlight the gains of the country over the last two years of the Aquino administration.

 

He added there will be chances for interaction between policy makers in different parts of the world.

 

The business community in the country would also have the opportunity to interact with their counterparts from different parts of Asia, Carandang said. 

 

“Most of the people coming are government officials. There will be a sizable international business contingent and they will have chances to interact informally with their counterparts in the Philippines,” he said.

 

The Malacañang official believes the country’s hosting of the ADB meeting “is a recognition also of where the Philippines has gone over the last two years in terms of trying to get the economy started, renewing democratic values and basically getting the country on a positive footing.” — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News