DEVELOPING and marketing the Philippines as a major logistics hub in Asia, a promise that President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. made during his campaign, is doable, according to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICS).
ICS Chairman Esben Poulsson, in an interview, said Marcos has to employ a capable team to develop a concrete blueprint as to how to make the Philippines a logistics center in Asia; and pair that team with strong political will to implement it.
“I believe that his concern is, if he surrounds himself with a team of capable people, and there is political will and leadership to do it, it is doable. I think it will have a major impact because the Philippines’s location in the globe lends itself as a major logistics hub,” Poulsson said.
Marcos earlier in the campaign trail said he intends to use the strategic location of the Philippines and leverage it to “aspire to become a major logistics hub in the region.”
To do this, he said back then, the government needs to build infrastructure that will support the needs of a logistics hub.
Marcos wants to do this as he expects a surge in global trade amid the e-commerce revolution.
“For a country the size of the Philippines, if this politician really could deliver on his promises and make improvements in port infrastructure and access to port [infrastructure], then in terms of contribution into trade exports and, generally, business would be enormous. It is heartening that he said he would do this and I hope that he will,” Poulsson said.
Marcos also intends to turn Philippine terminals into “smart ports,” saying that he plans to invest in information and communications technologies such as port automation through artificial intelligence.
“All these things—the financial commitment that it takes and political will to execute—that’s the hard part,” Poulsson noted.