Philippines-Korea Business Forum Conrad Hotel Manila (Speech)

Pasay City March 4, 2026 President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged stronger Philippines–Korea ties to drive inclusive growth through targeted reforms and strategic investments during the Philippines-Korea Business Forum at the Conrad Hotel Manila, Pasay City. Speaking before His Excellency Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea (ROK), government officials and business leaders, the event reinforces the deepening bilateral relations between the two countries. “At this year’s Philippines–Korea Business Forum, we are determined to advance policies that strengthen investor confidence, that expand opportunities for our peoples, and ensure that economic growth is shared,” he said, highlighting collaboration with the ROK to ensure both nations are self-sustaining and competitive. The Chief Executive highlighted key reforms, including the CREATE MORE Act to boost large-scale investments and job creation, the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act to lower stock taxes, the Amended Foreign Investments Act, the Amended Retail Trade Liberalization Act, and Green Lanes under Executive Order 18 for high-impact projects. “This Administration remains persistent in its commitment to meaningful reform. We are eradicating bureaucratic barriers, reducing the cost of doing business, and boosting our competitiveness in the global arena,” he said. “Let this gathering give rise to partnerships that are both profitable and purposeful… Progress finds meaning only when it improves lives. Every policy that we craft, every agreement that we sign, must ultimately serve our people,” President Marcos Jr. said in closing. Today’s Forum produced seven (7) memoranda of understanding (MOUs) covering shipbuilding, nuclear power, food and medical devices. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and the Export-Import Bank of Korea signed an MOU with the Philippines’ power company Meralco to jointly develop business and financial models for new nuclear plant projects. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and the Philippines’ Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) signed an MOU on shipbuilding technology development, among others. Connect with RTVM Website: http://rtvm.gov.ph Facebook: www.facebook.com/presidentialcom and www.facebook.com/rtvmalacanang YouTube: @RTVMalacanang Tiktok: @RTVMalacanang