Media Statement
October 8, 2024
On October 24, 2024 (Thursday), the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) will host their annual flagship Arangkada Philippines Forum at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City. The 13th Arangkada Forum will bring together hundreds of public and private sector leaders to discuss reforms and strategies to upskill the country’s workforce and accelerate economic growth, in light of demographic shifts and technological advancements. The forum will feature top government officials (including from the Department of Labor and Employment, Commission on Higher Education, and Department of Trade and Industry, among others), business leaders and heads of business groups, and representatives from international organizations like the World Bank and International Labor Organization. It will also be attended by industry experts, members of the diplomatic community, academe, and media.
“We are excited to bring together key public and private stakeholders to discuss reforms to help equip people with the skills needed to succeed and increase the country’s economic competitiveness,” said the members of the Joint Foreign Chambers. “Investing in the workforce is essential to unlock the country’s full potential and drive sustainable growth.” The first panel of the event, Upskill: Adapting to a New Workforce, will discuss the demographic and technological shifts that are reshaping the landscape of work. It will emphasize the country’s opportunity to reap the benefits of a demographic dividend. It will also focus on strategies to strengthen the linkages between academe and the business community to address underemployment, job and skill mismatch, and other challenges for the labor market. This will be followed by a special address to explore existing and proposed legislative reforms to strengthen the country’s human capital.
The second panel, Upscale: Strengthening the Backbone of our Value Chains, will gather experts from key industries such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. The discussion will focus on the critical skills and technologies needed to upscale these sectors in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, address concerns on job displacement, and explore ways to generate higher quality jobs for Filipinos.
Experts will also convene to examine the emerging roles and skill sets necessary to accelerate the sustainable and inclusive development of the country in the third panel entitled Uplift: Nurturing Talents for the Future. The discussion will emphasize the significance of investing in and expanding green and digital jobs to transition to a more sustainable economy and examine reforms needed to empower and uplift the workforce.
The JFC will also hold its annual Arangkada Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony, which honors an individual residing in the Philippines who has made substantial contributions to enhancing the country’s business environment. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding leadership, dedication, and long-term efforts to promote positive change and economic growth in the Philippines.
The 2024 Arangkada Forum is proudly supported by leaders in the industry, including Coca-Cola Philippines, First Philippine Holdings, SGV, Capital One, Marubeni, Royal Cargo, AIG, BDO, Cargill, Converge, and Eastern Communications. The event is also supported by key business groups, civil organizations, and media partners, such as the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development Alliance, Asia Society Philippines, ConnectedWomen, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Fintech Alliance PH, German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, PepsiCo, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., Philippine Mining Club, PwC Philippines, Royal Danish Embassy Manila, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc., BusinessWorld, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and the Philippine Star.
The JFC is a coalition of the American, Canadian, European, Japanese, and Korean chambers as well as the Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters, Incorporated. It supports and promotes open international trade, increased foreign investment, and improved conditions for business to benefit both the Philippines and the countries the JFC members represent.
To register for the 2024 Arangkada Philippines Forum, visit www.arangkadaphilippines.com/forum2024 or contact Alyx Flojo at [email protected]. For sponsorship inquiries, you may reach out to [email protected]. For more information on the Arangkada Philippines Project, visit www.arangkadaphilippines.com.
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