Marcos heading to Singapore for working visit Oct. 7 – 11

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will embark on a working visit to Singapore from Oct. 7 to 11 to expand economic engagement, deepen bilateral ties, and advance cooperation in sectors that can contribute to the country’s development.

Marcos has also been personally invited by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to attend the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Analyn Ratonel said in a statement on Tuesday.

READ: Transparency on Bongbong Marcos’ F1 Grand Prix trip in Singapore pressed

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Wong will host Marcos to dinner during the Singapore Grand Prix, where the two leaders will also have a private engagement on the sidelines of the event.

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“The Singapore Grand Prix brings together government leaders, business executives, and investors from around the world. It would provide an opportunity for informal engagements to complement his meetings focused on attracting investment and strengthening the Philippines’ partnerships,” Ratonel said.

There are no formal bilateral meetings scheduled between Marcos and other Singaporean leaders.

Ratonel, however, said the President may have opportunities to engage with leaders and senior officials, not only from Singapore but also from other countries, as well as business executives, during the Singapore Grand Prix.

The Singapore Grand Prix will be held from Oct. 9 to 11 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

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In 2022, Marcos drew criticism after attending the event barely a week after a super typhoon wreaked havoc on parts of the Philippines. 

The trip was also not publicly announced beforehand.

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Asean chairship, PH gains

Marcos’ trip comes as the Philippines’ chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ends this year, with Singapore set to assume the chairship next year.

“This working visit builds on the momentum of the President’s working visit to Singapore last July, when the President reaffirmed the strength of our bilateral relations with Singapore and engaged investors in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and other priority sectors,” Ratonel said.

READ: Critics slam Marcos’ F1 weekend ‘junket’ to Singapore

“This time, our economic engagement will have a broader global focus,” she added.

Nuclear research, safety

One of Marcos’ main agenda is a visit to the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute, which will provide insights into the Southeast Asian nation’s work on nuclear research, safety, regulation, and emerging technologies, she said.

“Nuclear energy may be a key topic, given the Philippines’ growing power needs and the expansion of energy-intensive industries such as artificial intelligence and data centers,” said Ratonel.

“The Philippines may learn from Singapore’s experience in nuclear research, safety, regulation, and capability-building as it considers its own long-term energy options,” she added.

Forbes Global CEO Conference

Additionally, Marcos will participate in the Forbes Global CEO Conference, where he will sit down for a one-on-one dialogue with Forbes Media Chair and Editor-in-Chief Steve Forbes.

He will also advance opportunities that the Philippines offers in digital technology and AI, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and other sectors that will drive the country’s continued transformation.

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Joining Marcos on the trip are Finance Secretary Frederick Go, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, and Communications Acting Secretary Dave Gomez. /gsg