MALAKING factor ang malakas na presensiya ng overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sa Gitnang Silangan para makapanghikayat ng mga investor mula sa Arab countries.

Sa open forum sa World Economic Forum (WEF) sa Davos, Switzerland, sinabi ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na welcome sa Pilipinas ang anomang major capital intensive investment lalo pa’t sinusubukan nitong makalabas mula sa utang.

Aniya, kailangan na mabawi ng Southeast Asia ang posisyon na mayroon ito bago ang COVID-19 pandemic.

Ang rehiyon ay mayroong fast-growing economy habang pinapanatili ang basic elements na nagdala sa nasabing punto bago pa mangyari.

“The workforce is still workforce, still exists. It is up to us as leaders, I think, to be very careful how we direct now the development of the economy because it’s not business as usual. The pandemic changed everything,” ang wika ni Pangulong Marcos.

“So specific to the Middle Eastern countries, we have very strong relations actually with the Middle Eastern countries,” dagdag na wika ng Pangulo sabay sabing “This is due to the huge numbers of OFWs in the Middle East.”

“Because in the talks that we’ve had with some of the leaders from the Middle East, the discussion always begins with the overseas Filipino workers,” ani Pangulong Marcos.

Winika pa ng Punong Ehekutibo na ang kalakalan ay bahagi ng talakayan sa Arab nations katulad ng pinag-uusapan naman ang panukalang sovereign wealth fund, Maharlika Investment Fund.

“Some of the examples that we’re looking at are the ones in the Middle East because they have been the ones that have been most successful,” ani Pangulong Marcos.

“The connections are there — we just not have — put it in that area. But I’m sure that any opportunities that we will be given… have to take full advantage of,” aniya pa rin. (CHRISTIAN DALE)