Statement: The Presidential Spokesperson on PH ranking in WEF Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015

Statement: The Presidential Spokesperson on PH ranking in WEF Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015

Statement of Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda
On the Philippines’ ranking in the WEF Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015

[Released on September 3, 2014]

At a time when the World Economic Forum (WEF) expresses concern that the slow pace of reforms puts global growth in peril, the Philippines for its part has jumped seven notches in WEF’s Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015, from 59 in the last rankings to 52 in the latest rankings.

At the start of the Aquino administration, in the 2010-2011 Report, the Philippines’ rankings placed it at 85. Our country’s gain of 33 places since then is the largest over that period among all countries studied in the report. The latest survey registered improvements in macroeconomic environment and institutions, as well as ethics and corruption—citing the reforms over the past four years as having bolstered our economic growth. Coming on the heels of the successful WEF on East Asia in Manila last May, this latest measurement of the country’s competitiveness is another demonstration that the Philippines is indeed more open for business than ever before: in our region, for example, the Philippines is considered one of the brightest spots, and is the second fastest growing economy among major Asian countries for the second quarter, tied with Malaysia.

This has been made possible by the Filipino people who, imbued with a positive, can-do attitude, are going from strength to strength in terms of governance and the economy. We take this opportunity to thank those like the National Competitiveness Council under Bill Luz, who have played an important role in challenging all sectors, public and private, to work together to achieve dynamism, inclusivity, and sustainability in our economic growth. As President Aquino has said, “Malinaw po ang ating paninindigan: sa ating paglalakbay, walang Pilipinong maiiwan. Ang bawat isa ay may maiaambag; ang bawat isa ay makikinabang.”

September 3, 2014