Business Roundtable with the Government of the Philippines On the path from reform to results? October 10th 2008 • Dusit Thani Manila, Philippines Lead sponsor Supporting PR agency The Philippines at a crossroads—turning challenges into opportunities In the period since the Asian financial crisis, the Philippines has fared better than many of its regional neighbors—but reasons to attend the after five years of solid if unspectacular 7 Roundtable economic growth, the government must now ready itself for further competition and a raft of new challenges. These range 1. Address your business concerns from political instability to the need to direct to the Philippines’ political attract foreign investment. leadership. To foster open debate amongst the 2. Gain first-hand insights into business and political leaders of the investment opportunities and Philippines at a key phase of the risks in the Philippines. country's economic development, Economist Conferences is hosting the 3. Equip your business for the Business Roundtable with the challenges of doing business in Government of the Philippines. the Philippines in the 21st The government speakers will share their century. plans with you on the issues that will shape the business climate in the 4. Enjoy exclusive off-the -record Philippines over the coming year. access to key government figures. 5. Engage the Philippines’ senior Who should attend? policymakers in off-the-record The Roundtable is designed to meet the discussion about their plans. needs of executives with top-level strategic and operational responsibilities 6. Enhance your understanding of in the Philippines. They will meet the the Philippines’ economic Philippines’ political leaders, plus the prospects from regional experts heads of major local and international at the Economist Intelligence companies, to discuss the key issues for Unit. business. 7. Network and benchmark with leading investors, executives and policymakers in the Philippines. Our distinguished panel of speakers includes: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Amando Tetangco Jr Margarito B Teves President of the Philippines Governor of the Central Bank Secretary of the Philippines Department of Finance Angelo T Reyes Jose Livioka Atienza Jr Noeleen Heyzer Secretary Secretary of Environment and Under-Secretary-General of the Department of Energy Natural Resources United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, United Nations Charles Goddard Justin Wood Christian Fredrikson Editorial Director, Asia-Pacific Director, Singapore, Head of Asia-Pacific Region Economist Intelligence Unit Corporate Network Nokia Siemens Networks Economist Intelligence Unit Peter B Favila, Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry Gareth Leather, Editor/Economist, Economist Intelligence Unit Debate the issues that matter for business, from fiscal reform to infrastructure development Delegates at this exclusive meeting of corporate and political leaders will debate the pressing questions facing every business in the Philippines. Looking ahead we ask…. • Can President Arroyo’s government maintain the pace of fiscal reform, stimulating private-sector investment and boosting the country’s economic prospects? • Corruption, infrastructure, regulatory reform: Participants at recent Government Will the government’s efforts in these three key Roundtables in the region have said.... areas be enough to attract more foreign business and investment? "Very informative and helpful, whether you are new to Malaysia or experienced for many years." • What can the government do to ensure the Philippines has an edge compared to ASEAN Dennis Rourk, General Manager, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies competitors? "The format of off-the-record exchange of • Will the Philippine peso maintain its recent views with the most relevant Indian ministers strength against the US dollar—and what are its works wonders." short- to mid-term prospects? Eric Niehe, Former Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands • How have the sectors favoured by foreign investors performed in the last decade? "Thank you to all of you at the Economist Intelligence Unit. Having spoken to many of the delegates at the Vietnam Roundtable, they truly were overwhelmed at the professionalism, insight and candor they received over the two days. This was the best conference I had ever attended. " Ralf Matthaes, Managing Director, TNS Vietnam Programme Friday October 10th 2008 Chairpersons: Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia-Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit Justin Wood, Director, Singapore, Corporate Network, Economist 7.30 am Registration opens 8.00 am Business advisory breakfast: Special focus on mining • Realising the untapped potential of the Philippines’ mineral resources • Ensuring sustainable growth and development of the mining sector • Clarifying government policy on mineral resources and the issue of asset and land ownership • What are the government’s plans for developing the mining sector over the next five years? • What role will foreign investors play? Jose Livioka Atienza Jr, Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources 9.10 am Welcome remarks 9.15 am Economist Intelligence Unit briefing: Economic prospects for the Philippines in a new Asia • Looking ahead: Economic and business outlook to 2010 and evaluation of the investment climate • Political outlook: Progress on increasing transparency in government and the fight against corruption • Capturing the growth potential in the mining, energy, BPO services and tourism industries • The Philippines in a comparative perspective: ASEAN, China, India and Japan • CEO comment: Situating the Philippines in a regional business strategy Gareth Leather, Editor/Economist, Economist Intelligence Unit 10.00 am Keynote address and discussion with Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Philippines • Delivering on the economic agenda—challenges and opportunities • What are the government’s plans for privatisation over the next five years? • Tackling corruption and reforming the regulatory environment to attract foreign business • Decentralisation—driving sustainable development at the grassroots through enhancement of national infrastructure • Engendering the political will and stability to drive effective change and reform 11.00 am Discussion break 11.15 am Making a return? Evaluating the investment environment • What initiatives does the government have in place to increase productivity and enhance regional competitiveness of the Philippines’ unique resources? • Developing the country’s human capital for competitive advantage • Addressing the needs of investors and the business community through infrastructure development • Creating a better investing environment to boost growth and development of key industries • Making the Philippines a more competitive trade partner through ASEAN and AFTA Peter B Favila, Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry 12.30 pm Lunch address The development challenge: energy and food security in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific Special guest speaker: Noeleen Heyzer, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, United Nations 1.45 pm Keeping the Philippines’ economy on track • What is the pace of liberalisation? Evaluating the government’s privatisation initiatives • Public finances: Evaluating progress in balancing the budget • Funding the development of infrastructure, education and healthcare: How will the government finance its broader development agenda? • What measures are in place for continuing fiscal consolidation and improvement? Margarito B Teves, Secretary, Department of Finance 3.00 pm Previewing the path to reform and prosperity • Review of the peso’s performance and future prospects • Getting the inside track on ongoing reform and consolidation of the banking sector • What measures are being taken to create a more attractive environment for lending and investment, and to manage inflation? • Progress report—reducing non-performing loans in the Philippines • The future outlook for monetary policy 4.00 pm Discussion break 4.15 pm Developing key growth sectors in the Philippines—focus on energy and power • Future prospects for privatisation of the power sector • What role will foreign investors play? • Meeting increasing demand through development of the country’s infrastructure • Fulfilling the future energy needs of the Philippines in a climate of rising energy prices Angelo T Reyes, Secretary, Department of Energy 5.15 pm Sharing the lessons of doing business in the Philippines • Corporate comment on economic, business and political developments • What can the government do to improve the Philippines’ business environment and competitiveness? • What developments in infrastructure are taking place to encourage business expansion and investment? • Business perspective: The BPO and outsourcing sectors • To what extent are security and political stability an issue for business interests in the Philippines? Amando Tetangco Jr, Governor of the Central Bank of the Philippines 6.15 pm Summary and conclusions from the Economist Intelligence Unit 6.30 pm Cocktail reception Economist Conferences reserves the right to make changes to the programme where necessary. © 2008 The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited. Details at a glance To register or to obtain more information, Date: October 10th 2008 please contact Alice Wong at: Time: 8.00 am – 6.00 pm (followed by a cocktail reception)