Dutertenomics in focus at World Economic Forum

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – President Duterte’s economic agenda, dubbed as ‘Dutertenomics,’ will take the spotlight in the World Economic Forum on ASEAN to be held here starting today up to May 12.

The President is expected to arrive today in Phnom Penh to  address more than 620 participants attending the forum, which will be held for the first time in Cambodia. 

Dutertenomics, which the President’s economic team launched only last month, is mainly a program  anchored on the rule of law and driven by a massive infrastructure spending, as captured by the slogan “Build, Build, Build.”

The President is expected to make the pitch for the Philippines during a meeting with CEOs and investors as part of the WEF activities here.

The President, as chair of ASEAN 2017, is also  expected to share his views on the region’s achievements and challenges.  He is slated to present today the strides and challenges of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) before participants  to the WEF.

Aside from Duterte, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank president Jin Liqun will also be among those who will attend the forum here. 

The  participants to the WEF- ASEAN this year include political and business leaders, civil society and other key researchers from around the world.

Duterte shall also have a separate meeting with the CEOs who will be attending the WEF.

The WEF was established in 1971 as a non-profit foundation with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum holds annual meetings in Davos, Switzerland, but also convenes regional meetings each year across Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Before Phnom Penh,  the WEF on ASEAN was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last year.