28 April 2015– Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima is in Los Angeles today to champion ASEAN and the Philippines in the 2015 Milken Institute Global Conference with the goal of attracting investors amid the region’s stellar prospects.
Purisima will be joining the panel called, “Southeast Asia: A Compelling Case for Investment,” and will be highlighting the benefits of investing in the region. Purisima is expected to underscore that the rewards of starting businesses in or expanding into ASEAN far outweigh the risks, as the region enjoys an upswing on the back of robust fundamentals. Purisima will also be able to share with investors fresh insights from the 26th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, in which Purisima has just accompanied President Benigno S. Aquino III as part of the Philippine delegation.
This also comes at the heels of Purisima’s participation in a World Economic Forum Panel on ASEAN’s Global Impact, where he stressed that the region is at its sweet spot: powered by the world’s third largest population and labor force. Purisima is also expected to continue emphasizing the stability the region is enjoying and will champion ASEAN as a hub of trade in Asia. He will likewise showcase the Philippine experience with reform, and share how good governance can indeed reap great economic returns.
Purisima will join other panelists Dino Patti Djalal, Founder, Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia; Richard Li, Founder and Chairman, Pacific Century Group; Kasemsit Pathomsak, President & CEO of Merchant Partners Securities Thailand; and Kirk Wagar, U.S. Ambassador to Singapore. The panel will be moderated by Cecilia Ma Zecha, Forbes Asia Executive Director and will take place Tuesday morning, Los Angeles time.
The Milken Institute Global Conference is an annual event organized by the Milken Institute to discuss the world’s current affairs and challenges. The Institute is an independent economic think tank founded by philanthropist Michael Milken. Purisima is the sole Filipino invited to speak at this event to be attended by 3,000 leaders from the private and public sectors. Purisima serves as head of President Aquino’s economic development cluster, steering the country’s rise as Asia’s best success story.