President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is heading to London Thursday night after a hectic but very fruitful five-day official visit to Washington.
President Marcos said he will meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as part of efforts to deepen Manila and London’s trade partnership.
“Makikipagkita ako sa kanilang bagong Prime Minister, Prime Minister Sunak upang makapag-usap kami kung mayroon bang pagbabago sa kanyang pag-iisip sa pagka… pag-partner ng UK at saka ng Pilipinas,” the President told the press in a briefing at St. Regis Hotel in Washington.
“Sa palagay ko ay ganun din ang sasabihin niya na dapat papatibayin natin. At naghihingalo, hirap na hirap ang ekonomiya ng UK so baka isang bagay ‘yun na pag-uusapan namin kung papaano mag-trade, kung papaano dagdagan,” added Marcos.
The chief executive was invited to London for the Grand Coronation of Britain’s King Charles III on May 6.
The President’s trip, following his “productive” visit to the United States, is in response to the invitation provided by the United Kingdom to Marcos as relayed by UK Ambassador Laure Beaufils.
The President said his family will land in Gatwick Airport, where he will take the opportunity to check on some “lessons learned” by airport officials and apply them in improving the Philippines’ major airports.
“Usually, hindi sa Gatwick ang pinupuntahan ngunit ngayon ay pupuntahan ko ‘yung Gatwick dahil titingnan ko ‘yung operation ng kanilang airport kung bagay ba ito — ‘yung mga lessons learned nila, ‘yung mga ginagawa nila, kung best practices ‘yan na puwede nating dalhin sa Pilipinas,” said Marcos.
The chief executive earlier renewed his administration’s commitment to improving Manila’s airport operations to ensure ease of travel to strengthen the country’s tourism sector. (PND)
