Last week, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines together with some business leaders had the privilege of meeting Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad. This is the third time that I saw him, following his attendance of the ASEAN Business Awards in Singapore and our meeting in Malaysia led by Tan Sri Dr. Munir Mohamad Majid. PM Mahathir is in the country for an official visit upon the invitation of President Rodrigo Duterte to discuss political, economic and social cooperation between Malaysia and Philippines.

I was joined by my ASEAN BAC co-member Tessie Sy-Coson together with Manny Villar, chairman of Vista Land Corporation; Henry Lim Bon Liong, president and CEO of SL Agritech Corporation; Daniel Zuellig, managing director of F.E. Zuellig Inc.; Alice Eduardo, president and CEO of Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corporation; Josephine Gotianun-Yap, president and CEO of Filinvest Land; Dennis Uy, chairman and CEO of Udenna Corporation; William Belo, CEO and founder of Wilcon Depot; Rosalind Wee, co-founder and vice chairman of W Group; Gil Gonzales, executive director of ASEAN Business Advisory Council; Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, adviser on agripreneurship of Go Negosyo; and Josephine Romero, senior adviser to the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines chairman.

Selected members of Malaysia’s economic team also joined the bilateral meeting, which revolved around strengthening the economic relations of Malaysia and Philippines through infrastructure investments, and exchange of goods and services between the two countries.

I thanked Prime Minister Mahathir for always giving time to meet and support the business sector. I also took the chance to express our appreciation for being instrumental in the peace process.