Aquino to attend WEF in Davos

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III will attend in 2013 for the first time the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, where he will talk about his anti-corruption drive on the sidelines of the meeting.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte confirmed on Sunday, January 20, that Aquino will take part in the WEF but did not give a detailed schedule of his meetings or whether he will finally meet International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde.

The President was scheduled to meet Lagarde when the IMF Managing Director visited Manila in May.

However, Aquino cancelled the meeting on the same day after feeling sick.

“So far, as of this date, we have 10 engagements for the President the entire time that he will be staying in Davos and in Zurich. We can’t say if he’ll have the opportunity for a pull aside or to have a small chat with other world leaders because he will attend most of the [sponsored] event,” Valte said.

The spokesperson added that Aquino’s schedule includes meetings with “private companies and other global economic leaders.”

In Davos, the Philippine leader is expected to showcase the successes of his government in fighting corruption since he assumed power in 2010.

Aquino will also promote business opportunities in the country to foreign investors. – Rappler.com