President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, artificial intelligence, health and social development during the Philippine leader’s official visit to Singapore.
The Presidential Communications Office said the two leaders also agreed to pursue new bilateral agreements that would benefit both countries, deepen their longstanding partnership and advance cooperation across key sectors.
Marcos and Wong likewise discussed Singapore’s assumption of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations chairmanship in 2027 and reaffirmed their shared commitment to uphold ASEAN centrality and promote a peaceful, stable and prosperous Southeast Asia.
Marcos arrived in Singapore on Tuesday for an official visit that will run until July 16.
In a social media post, Wong said it was “good to catch up with Philippine President Bongbong Marcos, who is in Singapore for a working visit.”
He said Singapore and the Philippines share strong and growing ties, noting that his country remains one of the Philippines’ largest foreign investors.
“There is potential to deepen our cooperation in areas like artificial intelligence, as well as the green and digital economies. We also discussed ways to strengthen the longstanding ties between our peoples,” Wong said.
The Singaporean leader said he and Marcos also discussed the Philippines’ current ASEAN chairship and the turnover of the regional bloc’s leadership to Singapore in 2027.
“I thanked President Marcos for the Philippines’ leadership as ASEAN Chair this year. It’s Singapore’s turn to chair next year. So we will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition and continue strengthening ASEAN’s unity and resilience in this more uncertain world,” he added.
The PCO said Marcos also met Wednesday with executives of the Singtel Group to discuss initiatives aimed at expanding the Singaporean company’s investments in the Philippines’ digital infrastructure.
The planned expansion is expected to support the continued growth of the country’s digital economy.
“The meeting underscored Singtel’s continued confidence in the Philippine market through its long-standing partnership with Globe Telecom and the growth of NCS Philippines, a joint venture between NCS and Globe’s Yondu,” the PCO said.
“Singtel reaffirmed its commitment to expand its investments and operations in the country, while the ongoing development of ST Telemedia Global Data Centres in Quezon City and Cavite will strengthen the Philippines’ digital infrastructure and reinforce its position as an emerging regional data hub,” it added.
The PCO said sustained investments in digital infrastructure would improve connectivity, generate more high-value jobs and support long-term economic growth.
During the visit, Marcos is also scheduled to attend a private roundtable organized by the Milken Institute on the Philippines’ transition to upper-middle-income status. Several Singapore-based business leaders are expected to participate.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, who accompanied the President, is also set to attend and address the “Global Economic Cooperation East Summit” upon the invitation of the Future Economic Cooperation Council.