Marcos eyes deeper technology ties with Singapore

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is hoping that the Philippines and Singapore will enter into new partnerships, particularly in technology, once he steps down from office in 2028.

The Philippine leader noted that Singapore is leading the way when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI) in Southeast Asia.

“Hopefully by then, we will have entered into partnerships in the new areas that are becoming, the new opportunities that are being made available to us by the advent of new technology,” said Marcos in an interview with The Straits Times during his five-day work visit to the city-state.

“Of course, the biggest discussions now are being held over AI and Singapore has an important part to play in that because Singapore is actually, in our region, an industry leader when it comes to digitalization and AI,” he added.

Marcos earlier said that his visit to Singapore from October 7 to 11 would help prepare the Philippines for the industries of the future.

The President also said this latest working visit will build upon his previous trip to the country last July, where he engaged investors in digital infrastructure, AI, healthcare, and more.

“Singapore has been one of the biggest investors in the Philippines already. They have been very focused in the areas that they had wanted to develop but now we are exploring new areas, even areas such as health care, of course the digital economy, infrastructure, which is generally, traditionally, Singapore has not been involved before but they are coming into that now in the Philippines,” he told the Singaporean newspaper.

“This is a very, very important development for us and I think it's also of great benefit to Singapore,” Marcos added. —RF, GMA News