President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will undertake a two-country swing to Indonesia and Singapore next week where several agreements are expected to be firmed up, including on defense and trade cooperation.
His first state visit will be to Indonesia from Sept. 4 to upon the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
“The visit will be highlighted by the first meeting between the two leaders who are expected to discuss the two countries’ active and multi-faceted cooperation on defense, maritime, border, economic, and people-to-people cooperation. They will also exchange views on major issues affecting the region and the world,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, is the current president of the G20 and the incoming chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
During the state visit, the two leaders will witness the signing of several key agreements in the areas of defense and culture, as well as a comprehensive Plan of Action that will chart the countries’ bilateral priorities over the next five years.
Mr. Marcos will also meet with business leaders to promote trade and investment to support the country’s economic agenda under his administration.
From Indonesia, the President will head to Singapore for a state visit from Sept. 6 to 7 at the invitation of President Halimah Yakob.
Mr. Marcos will have a separate meeting with the Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong where they are scheduled to witness the signing of agreements in the areas of counter-terrorism and data privacy.
“As Singapore is a key trade and investment partner of the Philippines, an economic briefing and business roundtable meetings will be organized, where the President intends to invite investments into the Philippines and create more job opportunities in the country,” the DFA added.
The President will also meet the Filipino communities in Indonesia and Singapore to personally assure them of the government’s continuing commitment to protect their rights and promote their welfare as overseas Filipinos.