PORT MORESBY — President Duterte has ended his three-day visit to Papua New Guinea, attaining a “fruitful and productive” attendance to the regional summit here.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President’s trip has benefited the country
as he pushed for the nation’s priorities in advancing inclusive growth during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
“The Palace is pleased to announce that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte had a fruitful and productive participation in the 26th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, where he, together with 20 economic leaders, joined in the dialogue before prominent business leaders during the summit of chief executive officers of the APEC Business Advisory Council or ABAC, a meeting with leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum, and a dialogue with the International Monetary Fund (IMF),” Panelo said.
“With the President’s undiminished dedication to our country’s economic progress and the formidable support he was able to solicit from the respective leaders of the APEC Community, we are enthusiastic to say that this trip not only benefited our country today but also its overall economy in the following years,” he said.
The President has pushed through with his original plan to attend the two-day APEC summit here.
A Palace advisory earlier showed he was supposed to cut short his three-day visit to Papua New Guinea, particularly skip Sunday’s summit activities. He was supposed to leave Papua New Guinea last Saturday night.
But Duterte changed his mind and decided to participate in the remaining APEC activities Sunday.
He is expected to return to the Philippines Sunday night.
“During his meetings with our neighbors, friends and allies in APEC, the President actively engaged in important discussions and advanced our country’s priorities in what we consider as the most important economic cooperation platform in the world,” Panelo said.
“He affirmed his commitment to continuously take part in and contribute to the APEC Forum, underscoring that the Philippine trade with APEC economies comprise 84 percent of the country’s total trade worldwide with 82 percent of our merchandise exports destined for the APEC region,” he said.
Panelo said the President likewise recognized that 85 percent of all imports to the Philippines come from APEC partners. Around 83 percent of tourist arrivals to the Philippines also come from the APEC region.
In his visit to Papua New Guinea, the President also met with the Filipino community and discussed his campaign against illegal drugs, crime and corruption.
Panelo said the President has also praised his “good friend” Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for the successful hosting of this year’s APEC summit. He also thanked Papua New Guinea for the warmth and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. (Genalyn Kabiling)
