President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s strong belief in the government’s partnership with the private sector would help the Philippines become “the next big thing in Asia”, Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz said on Tuesday.

Aboitiz, who is also the lead convenor of the government’s Private Sector Advisory Council, joined the President in his five-day participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

“For us, the private sector, we can partner with the best in the world to be able to solve problems and not band-aid (solutions), but structural change. So that it works for the generations to come and not just for three months or one year,” Aboitiz said in an interview with the Presidential Communications Office.

“That’s a major part of the President’s thinking process. It’s to change the structure. It’s going to hurt a little bit, but the structure is changed for the long term. If it’s easy, then the result is also easy. If it’s hard, then the result is also more long-term.”

Aboitiz said the private sector in the country is “very excited to work with the government” as they feel the “respect” and “appreciation” of the President for them.

“I think that’s part of the excitement that we all have. It’s doing things for the long term. So again, like I always say, you know, I think the Philippines is really going to be the next big thing in Asia. We are very excited to work with the government today because we see that they really appreciate the private sector,” he pointed out.

“You know, he meets with us every two weeks with one sector that’s already set up, gives us the respect, gives us the schedule right here in advance for the meetings.”

Malacañang said Aboitiz is one of the seven CEOs that comprise the country’s official business delegation for the forum, including Kevin Andrew Tan (CEO of the Alliance Global Group, Inc.), Jaime Zobel de Ayala (Chairman of Ayala Group), and Lance Gokongwei (President and CEO of JG Summit Holdings, Inc.).

Also part of the delegation are Enrique Razon (Chairman and CEO of International Container Terminal Services, Inc.), Ramon Ang (President and CEO of San Miguel Corporation), and Teresita Sy-Coson (Vice Chairperson of SM Investments Corporation).

The President said the delegation would help him promote the country as the leader and driver of growth and a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region during the WEF.

For Aboitiz, the opportunity to be in the WEF would allow them to connect with experts from countries around the world.

“Digitalization, for example, you know the government cannot position at all. It needs the private sector, the talent, and the knowledge that we came from all over the world, which is changing,” he said.