Duterte asks ASEAN to bolster regional workforce

June 23, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte asks members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to enhance the regional workforce.

"With the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we need your support in upskilling the ASEAN workforce," Duterte said his speech on Saturday for the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with representatives of ASEAN-BAC in Bangkok.

"The ASEAN-BAC’s legacy project called the ASEAN Human [Empowerment and Development] is an important platform for this," he added.

Duterte lauded the council for ensuring the involvement of private sector in regional economic cooperation and development initiatives.

"Your efforts to enhance the competitiveness of ASEAN MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises) to become more inclusive human capital development and public-private partnerships are most welcome" the president said.

He also mentioned progress in the ASEAN Mentorship fro Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN). Duterte said the AMEN project can boost capacities of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises, which will raise economies of ASEAN partner countries.

"Sustained mentorship can help MSMEs transform into more globally competitive entities, generating more quality jobs for their communities," Duterte reiterated.

"May the ASEAN-BAC, together with the Joint Business Councils, continue to strengthen private sector partnerships in the region as we move towards an ASEAN Economic Community by 2025," Duterte added.  Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS