Finance Secretary Ralph Recto was named as Special Envoy of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from Jan. 20 to 24, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
In a statement on Monday, the DOF said Recto will engage with international partners to bring home more investments that will develop the Philippines’ high-impact industries, improve the logistics backbone, strengthen the workforce, and expand artificial intelligence (AI) and financial inclusion initiatives.
These projects aim to create more jobs for Filipinos, increase their incomes, and reduce poverty to ensure meaningful and inclusive economic progress for the country.
The 2025 WEF Annual Meeting will convene nearly 3,000 global leaders, including heads of state, government officials, top business executives, and influential figures from international organizations across 130 nations.
The forum aims to spark dialogue, build trust, and drive sustainable solutions to critical global challenges.
During the forum, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, and Ambassador and Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Manuel Antonio Teehankee will join Recto in hosting an economic briefing for global investors at the Philippine Breakfast Interaction.
The event will showcase the country’s potential as the next big investment destination, especially with the recent enactment of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act.
Recto is also scheduled to hold one-on-one meetings with top global companies, banks, manufacturers, and technology companies to discuss possible investment and expansion opportunities.
He will also take part in the ASEAN Leaders for Just Energy Transition Forum to engage in collaborative action to advance the countries’ shared commitment towards an equitable and fair clean energy transition.
Recto will be joined by the Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and key business leaders in the energy and transportation sectors.
The DOF said Recto will also represent the Asia Pacific Region in a lunch with economic forecasters to discuss scenarios for 2025 and learn about the current trends that could shape the economy.
Joining him are Nigeria Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Wale Edun and prominent academicians and economists.
The Finance chief will also serve as a panelist at a forum hosted by the Tony Blair Institute and Coinbase on Harnessing Transformational Technologies: Governing in the Age of AI and Digital Assets.
He will be joined by fellow ministers and global tech companies to explore how governments can leverage AI, blockchain, and digital ID to streamline trade, unlock economic potential, and foster stronger public-private collaboration.
The WEF is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation, serving as a global, impartial, and not-for-profit platform that fosters meaningful connections among stakeholders. (PNA)
