PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2024, an annual gathering aimed at fostering deeper economic integration and collaboration within the ASEAN region on Wednesday (Oct. 9, 2024) at Lao capital of Vientiane. The Summit, hosted by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), brought together global leaders, CEOs, and key industry stakeholders to discuss the role of the private sector in driving policy reforms and boosting ASEAN's economic interconnectedness. (PCO Photo)
MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for more collaborations between public and private sectors in Southeast Asia to improve the region’s digital economy.
In his intervention during the ASEAN leaders’ meeting with representatives from the ASEAN Business Advisory Council on Wednesday, Marcos said the private sector has a “critical role” in addressing key challenges in the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
“We acknowledge the critical role of private sector engagement in this area. As the region advances towards the goals outlined in the ASEAN DEFA, it is imperative that both public and private sectors collaborate closely to address those challenges,” Marcos said.
With the private sector’s expertise and resources, Marcos said it can take the lead in digital commerce and industry, while playing a pivotal role in mobilizing investment to enhance cybersecurity and infrastructure readiness, such as digital connectivity and technological advancements, which are fundamental for a thriving digital economy.
The President also expressed support to the ASEAN-BAC’s request for relevant government agencies to participate in forming the National Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Network Team.
“We believe that the involvement of relevant government bodies is instrumental in driving forward the objectives of the DTC Network Team, particularly in the Philippines,” Marcos said.
“This collaboration ensures that our endeavors are in line with national priorities and policies, ultimately enhancing the success and sustainability of our initiatives,” he added.
Marcos is currently in Lao DPR for the three-day ASEAN Summit. (PNA)
