The Philippine Star

Busy sked for Noy at Davos forum

- By DELON PORCALLA

President Aquino has at least 10 engagement­s when he attends the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerlan­d this week Ð the first time he is attending the internatio­nal gathering since he assumed offi‡ce in June 2010.

Deputy presidenti­al spokespers­on Abigail Valte said that aside from those engagement­s, Aquino may have “pull aside” or “small chat” meetings with world and business leaders.

“The 10 events consist of events that are sponsored by the WEF itself, while the others are hosted by private companies and other global economic leaders who will be meeting with the President,” Valte said over state-run dzRB radio yesterday.

Aquino may also have more engagement­s during “informal gatherings,” Valte said.

Over the weekend, Valte also disclosed Aquino will showcase the successes of what his government of nearly three years has achieved, particular­ly on the campaign against corruption.

Valte said Aquino would deliver on Jan. 24 the keynote address in the anticorrup­tion forum on the sidelines of the Davos meeting.

Aquino is to speak on “Partnering Against Corruption Initiative” at the WEF, where he is expected to share anticorrup­tion measures.

Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras earlier confirmed the President’s attendance at the WEF, which extended an invitation.

“The internatio­nal community is very happy with what he’s done,” Almendras told ANC.

“Great, successful businessme­n all over the world are interested in meeting President Aquino. There’s a lot of infrastruc­ture going on. You have expressway­s and elevated highways, bus terminals kicking o‰ this year,” he said. “This year, we’re going to create a roadmap to 2016.”

Almendras used to head the Department of Energy until his transfer to Malacañang in mid-2012.

Aquino will be in Davos on Jan. 24-25 for the WEF, which holds an annual meeting that remains the foremost creative force for engaging leaders in collaborat­ive activities focused on shaping the global, regional and industry agendas.

Aquino will also meet with the Filipino community in Zurich on Jan. 26, before he leaves for Manila later that day.

The WEF is an independen­t internatio­nal organizati­on committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

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