President Duterte: Second trip to Japan ‘most productive, engaging’

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte listens as Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez gives his opening remarks during the courtesy call of t...

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte listens as Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez gives his opening remarks during the courtesy call of the Philippine and Japan conglomerates on the President at the Malacañan Palace on February 21, 2018. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, February 21, met with Philippine and Japanese conglomerates at the Malacañan Palace.

In their courtesy call to the President, the Philippine conglomerates discussed competitivess and macroeconomic fundamentals, infrastructure and innovation matters to the President.

The Philippine conglomerates were composed of representatives from Aboitiz & Company, Inc.; A Brown Company, Inc.; Jollibee Foods Corporation; DMCI Holdings Inc.; JG Summit; First Pacific Company; International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI); Double Dragon Properties; BDO Unibank Inc.; LT Group, Inc.; and Eton Properties Philippines, Inc.

The President likewise met with Japanese conglomerates as well as representatives of the Philippine-Japan Economic Cooperation (PHILJEC) to tackle infrastructure programs.

Established in 1973, PHILJEC aims to promote, strengthen and expand trade, economic, scientific technological advancements, exchange assistance to business endeavors in both the Philippines and Japan.

It was designed to be a forum for private sector dialogue and the exchange of ideas geared towards the enhancement of Philippines-Japan relations.

Present during the meeting were Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, Marubeni Corporation Chairman Teruo Asada, Mitsubishi Corporation Chairman Ken Kobayashi, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) International Division Manager Masazumi Nishizawa, and Japan Airlines Chairman Masaru Onishi.

Also present were JCCI Secretary General Hidekazu Oshita, PHILJEC outgoing Chairman Aniceto Saludo, PHILJEC incoming Chairman Gerard Sanvictores, ANA Holdings Senior Vice President Koji Shibata, and Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines (JCCIPI) President Hiroshi Shiraishi.

The Chief Executive was joined by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea during the courtesy calls. PND