Philippine president to attend Davos Forum

MANILA -?Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III will join other world leaders in the World Economic Forum (WEF) next week in Davos, Switzerland, a senior government official announced.

Aquino's trip to Davos, which lasts from January 23 to 27 will be his first foreign trip in 2013, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview over a state-run radio station.

"President Aquino will have the opportunity to meet and to discuss issues with global business leaders as part of our continuing pitch that the Philippines is under new management and that we are open for business," she said.

Aquino will also give a keynote speech at the Partnership against Corruption event where he will share the Philippine experience in battling corruption, Valte added.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo and several other cabinet members will join Mr. Aquino, she said.

Before returning to Manila, Aquino will meet with the Filipino community in Zurich, she added.