As President Marcos vowed to pursue more liberal economic reforms, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has called on Canadian businessmen to explore the vast potential of investing in the Philippines. At the first Philippine Economic Briefing in Toronto, Canada, NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the Philippines has reached an unprecedented level of openness for business, presenting a wide range of investment opportunities in key sectors. “I am inviting all of you to consider partnering with the Philippines,” Balisacan told more than 80 senior executives of Canada-based funds and corporates as well as representatives of business groups, industry associations, the financial community, and the public sector. “Our country is more open to business now than ever before,” he pointed out. During his presentation, Balisacan unveiled President Marcos’ 194 high-impact Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPS) with a total cost of P8.3 trillion, equivalent to $150 billion. Balisacan said these IFPS primarily focus on bolstering physical and digital connectivity, as well as optimizing water resources, signifying the government's serious commitment to strengthening the core drivers of the country's economic growth. The NEDA chief said that out of the 194 IFPS, approximately 30 percent are expected to be financed through public-private partnerships (PPP) or a combination of funding sources. “Investment opportunities, especially in PPPs exist in key infrastructure areas. As I said earlier, energy water airports, logistics, telecommunications expressways railways, hospitals, and schools,” Balisacan said. “We also invite you to explore exciting opportunities in our emerging growth drivers, such as agribusiness, mining, manufacturing, tourism, education, the creative industries, health, information technology, and business process management,” he added. In addition to the PPP opportunities, the official said Canadian investors have the advantage of leveraging the Philippines as a strategic and competitive launching pad into the broader ASEAN market, facilitated by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. “This effectively multiplies your market size and gives you competitive access to inputs and value chains,” he said. Balisacan also cited the country's demographic dividend as an additional cornerstone of growth for the next two to three decades—an alluring prospect, particularly in light of the aging population in developed economies like Canada. “Rest assured that our Philippine government will be your active and committed partner. We look forward to working with you in creating a more prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Philippines,” the NEDA chief concluded.