MANILA – The Philippines’ participation at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2023 (SFF) is a message to the world that the country’s financial technology industry is growing and open for investment.

“Singapore FinTech Festival is called the Woodstock of all FinTech festivals,” Trade Attache to Singapore Carla Grepo said during the SFF 2023.

“[H]aving a Philippine pavilion (here) would be the step in the right direction to really let them know that we’re growing— our FinTech industry is really growing. Bringing our FinTech startups here to really interface with other founders, venture capitals, private equities is an opportunity that should not be missed,” she added.

The event, which ran from November 15 to 17, attracted over 60,000 attendees from at least 100 countries and provided the sector a platform to discuss the latest trends and opportunities in the industry.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also delivered a keynote address via hologram at the Festival Stage on November 15.

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In Singapore, Grepo noted the “very strong interest” of firms to invest in the Philippines.

“And we hear about this all the time whenever President Marcos comes to Singapore,” she said.

“There’s a lot of interest from Singapore investors, they are very encouraged with our recent economic reforms and how the President and his economic team and the investment promotions team are really going country to country to tell the world that the Philippines is open for business,” she added.

The SFF was led by global policymakers and leaders from five continents and was touted as the “biggest and most impactful intersection of policy, finance and technology”.

Among the topics discussed were generative artificial intelligence as economic driver in the coming decade, re-architecting the financial system, and preparing for future risks in technology and climate, among others. (PNA)