JAZA: Sustaining growth in a global market

MANILA, Philippines – Two years ago, Ayala Corporation chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala talked to Rappler about a brave new Philippines, a country that was ready to grab opportunities for economic growth and development. (WATCH: #TalkThursday: Brave new Philippines – JAZA)

The Philippines has performed better than analysts expected. Despite the disasters that hit the country last year, the country posted a 7.2% gross domestic product growth in 2013 that surpassed forecasts. Credit rating agencies also took notice, finally upgrading the Philippines to investment grade, a seal of good housekeeping that tells investors it is safe to do business in the country. (READ: PH grows 7.2% in 2013, above gov’t target)

This time, Zobel sits down with Rappler to talk about the World Economic Forum on East Asia (WEF-EA), happening for the first time in Manila from May 21-23. More than 600 leaders and delegates from government, international organizations, businesses, the academe, and media from over 30 countries will meet to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by the evolving ASEAN Economic Community. Also in the agenda is the need for resilient policy-making in the face of economic crises and natural calamities.

As CEO of Ayala Corp, Zobel has led the conglomerate and its subsidiaries into entering capital-intensive infrastructure projects in public-private partnerships with the government. Ayala Corp is also involved in real estate, telecoms, utilities, banking and international businesses.

Zobel talked to Rappler about regional economic integration and what it will take to sustain the momentum of the Philippines’ growing economy.

– Rappler.com