President Noynoy Aquino will tell the world the Philippines is open anew for business when he travels to the United States next month, according to one of his economic managers.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the President would assure the business community that his administration is committed to good governance while ensuring an investor-friendly environment in the country.

“The main focus is to show to the world that the Philippines is once again open for business, that we mean business about making sure that dramatic improvements in governance are being made and that the Philippines will once again be an attractive destination for investments both in terms of good governance, political stability and lower cost of doing business,” he told reporters last Monday.

Abad said senior cabinet officials have started to prepare for the President’s first overseas trip, a working visit to the US in September. Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo have already flown to the US to lay the groundwork for the President’s trip.

The President earlier confirmed he would visit the United States, mainly to attend the United Nations General Assembly in September. Mr. Aquino, who plans to renew his passport in preparation for his foreign trips, said the US is the “primary” destination because there are “deliverables.” In his US tour, the President will also visit California, New York and Washington DC.

President Aquino is also expected to hold talks with US President Barack Obama although the Palace has yet to confirm such meeting. Obama has invited Aquino to visit the White House shortly after he won the recent elections.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda had said the President will continue to promote only the interests of the country amid plans to visit the United States next month.