President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. left for Singapore on Tuesday for a two-day working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, expanding economic cooperation and laying the groundwork for closer collaboration as Singapore prepares to assume the ASEAN chairmanship next year.

According to Malacañang, Marcos is scheduled to meet with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, where the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, health, environmental protection and regional and global development.

The two countries are also expected to reaffirm their commitment to ASEAN centrality and regional stability.

As part of the visit, Marcos will join a private roundtable with Singaporean business leaders organized by the Milken Institute at the Philippine Embassy in a bid to attract more investments following the Philippines’ recent upgrade to upper-middle income economy status by the World Bank.

Meanwhile, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will deliver a message at the Global Economic Cooperation East Summit upon the invitation of the Future Economic Cooperation Council, an India-based organization that brings together government and business leaders to promote international economic collaboration.

The Singapore trip is Marcos’ 45th overseas visit since assuming office in 2022 and comes days after his official visit to Canada, where the government secured approximately USD2.5 billion in investment commitments.

The President is expected to return to the Philippines on Thursday. (PNA)