Unfazed by alleged plots to overthrow her government, President Arroyo flew to Switzerland Tuesday afternoon to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and kick off her seven-day working visit to the Western Europe country and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
"Global engagement and a robust foreign policy are central pillars of our plan for a safe and strong Philippines. We depart today (Tuesday) for Europe and the Middle East to continue to advance the strategic interests of the Philippines and press the need for closer economic, political and social relations between the Philippines and the world," Mrs. Arroyo said in her departure statement.
At the WEF in the ski resort city of Davos, the President said she is scheduled to meet with a number of world leaders "who are partners with the Philippines in bringing peace to Mindanao, aid assistance to our poor and greater security in the fight against terrorism."
Mrs. Arroyo said she will "relentless" promote the Philippines to foreign investors and businessmen during her trip.
"For the first time in a generation, the Philippine economy is on a path to sustained economic growth, creating millions of new jobs and billions of new pesos in revenue to invest in our people and our infrastructure to build up our nation. Foreign investment is central to that progress. We are proud of the results of our ability to attract more and more business to the Philippines the last seven years," she added.
The President said she will also meet with the International Board of Advisors, which is composed of the world’s top business leaders, to help "communicate the dynamism and the very positive new environment for business that is being created in our nation."
The President is expected to arrive in Zurich 11 p.m. Tuesday (6 a.m. Wednesday Manila time) for her four-day visit to Switzerland that will be highlighted by her attendance at the annual WEF.
More than 2,500 participants from 88 countries, including 27 heads of state or government, 113 Cabinet members, along with religious and media leaders, and heads of non-governmental organizations, are expected to attend the forum.
President Arroyo is also expected to address the high-level plenary session of the Swiss Congress.
On Saturday morning the President will leave for Dubai to meet with top businessmen in UAE.
"This is also a country that employs hundreds of thousands of our countrymen and women. We will work to ensure that they continue to enjoy the positive working conditions that they deserve. In our meetings with these fellow Filipinos we will assure them that their contributions to their families and their country are recognized and appreciated," she said.
Mrs. Arroyo added: "These visits are part of the commitment of our administration to global engagement that broadens and deepens our ties, strengthens our security alliances, encourages trade and investment agreements, and protects our overseas Filipino workers."
Urges joint effort to ease recession fears
Meanwhile Agence France-Presse reported that Mrs. Arroyo also called on Tuesday for a concerted effort to ease fears that the US economy is headed for recession.
Speaking as she left for the annual meeting of the WEF in Davos, Switzerland, Arroyo said she would be looking for ways to alleviate the impact of a recession in the United States -- the Philippines biggest trading partner -- in her talks with other leaders and business chiefs.
In Manila, the stock market plunged 5.5 percent for its biggest single-day loss in five months as investors dumped stocks in what many analysts described as panic selling.
"It is important we work together, especially now when we face not only the high price of oil but the weakening of the economy in America that could have an effect on the Philippines," Arroyo told her cabinet before leaving.
The United States is the biggest market for Philippine exports and is home to millions of overseas-based Filipino workers whose remittances help prop up the domestic economy. With a report from Agence France-Presse
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