Duterte now in Papua New Guinea for APEC

November 16, 2018

Malacanang said on Friday that it expects President Rodrigo Duterte to have a fruitful and productive visit to Papua New Guinea.

From Singapore where he attended the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Duterte flew directly to Papua New Guinea to join the 20 other leaders for the 19th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting.

"The President is set to join a dialogue before prominent business leaders during the summit of chief executive officers of the APEC Business Advisory Council or ABAC and meet with leaders of the Pacific Island Forum," said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement.

He said the APEC Forum is also a good opportunity for Duterte to express his support for mechanisms that will enable the Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises to take advantage of digital and online platforms to benefit their enterprises and to bring their products and services overseas.

The spokesman could not divulge yet if Duterte would hold bilateral meetings with any of his counterparts during the APEC meeting.

He said the officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs were still working, coordinating and finalizing with their counterparts on the best schedule and arrangements.

Duterte is set to meet with the Filipino community Friday night.

There are around 40,000 Filipinos and over 200 Philippine companies in Papua New Guinea.

Duterte is expected to return in Davao City on Sunday night. Celerina Monte/DMS