PBBM woos investments, champions tech innovation at Forbes Global CEO Conference 2026 – ptvnews.ph

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Upon an earlier invitation from Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. participated in the Forbes Global CEO Conference 2026 in Singapore on Thursday, in his capacity as concurrent ASEAN Chair.
During the high-level dialogue, the President engaged with thought leaders, business executives, financial experts and investors to encourage further investments not only in the Philippines, but also among other ASEAN member states.
The highlight of the event focused on his exchanges with Forbes Media Chairperson and Editor-in-Chief Steve Forbes, which revolved around artificial intelligence and how the Philippines is establishing the underpinnings of an evolving digital economy.
President Marcos Jr. told Forbes, “ASEAN isn’t talking enough about AI. As we chair ASEAN this year, we need to put together a plan for AI, what are the things we can do to help others and how we can compete in a constructive way.”
This, as he expressed his desire to make the signing of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework a reality at the upcoming 49th ASEAN Summit in November, which would provide the 11-member bloc with a roadmap for implementing emerging technologies.
President Marcos Jr. also shared the significant steps that the government took to ease restrictions that make it hard for foreign companies to do business in the country, noting that this opens new opportunities for further growth and development that contribute to the nation’s bottom line.
“We have tried to streamline many of the processes for businesses to come in and to make it easier for business and make us a more attractive investment destination. If we are to keep up with the rest of the world, it’s a necessary development that we felt the Philippines needed to do.”
The President, moreover, placed a premium on a young, talented, and English language-proficient workforce as a significant asset that would contribute to a better future for the Southeast Asian nation.
At this juncture, the conversation pivoted to certain investments being poured in the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC)—which aims to build up interconnected infrastructure that would link major hubs of activity such as Clark, Subic Bay, Metro Manila, and Batangas.
A spotlight was also shone on the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, which is one of the major undertakings in the LEC with the premise of establishing AI hubs and data centers that would ramp up the Philippines’ competitiveness in the digital technology front.
The productive dialogue concluded with hopes that a code of conduct in the South China Sea will be signed between ASEAN member states and China at the upcoming summit in November, with the Chief Executive optimistic that this will maintain freedom of navigation and adherence to international law among global nations.
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