3 Asean leaders expected to share ‘roadmaps towards prosperity‘

The leaders of Malaysia, Thailand, and hopefully Vietnam are expected to share their countries’ “roadmaps towards prosperity” in a summit organized on Friday by the Asean Business Advisory Council (Abac) to promote inclusive growth and prosperity in the region.

So far, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha have confirmed their attendance to the Abac’s “Prosperity for All” summit to be held at the City of Dreams Manila hotel in Pasay.

But Jose Concepcion III, Abac chairperson, said on Thursday that organizers were hoping Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, whom they had invited to speak as well, would be able to attend the summit.

The three leaders, along with six other Asean leaders, are now in the Philippines for the 30th Asean summit hosted by President Rodrigo Duterte this week.

Expected to attend the summit were Vice President Leni Robredo and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a former president.

Concepcion said that Robredo would have a short talk on poverty programs.

Close to 1,000 entrepreneurs and experts are expected to attend the summit that aims to get big business to help small businessmen or the small and micro entrepreneurs who make up 99.6 percent of entrepreneurs in the country.

A “powerhouse” panelist of 30 members, that included incumbent and former government officials and business leaders, will also attend the five sessions to be held in the summit, according to Josephine Romero, Abac Philippines adviser.

“It is very clear to (Abac) council members they want each and every country to rise together and no one is left behind.Hopefully the message to be shared by each of the leaders are the road map on how Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam did it; what was their formula in creating prosperity for their nation,” Concepcion said. /atm