PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is hoping to meet United States President Joe Biden during the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).Marcos said his team requested a meeting with Biden to personally affirm and make stronger the long-standing ties between the Philippines and the US.In an interview at the New York Stock Exchange, Marcos said he views the US as a close partner in making Filipino workers more competitive anywhere in the world through enhancing the country’s education system while at the same time improving the workforce’s technical abilities by training.Marcos said he will continue to hold dialogues with American business people and heads of US companies as part of his working visit to the country.He will also participate in roundtables designed to project the country as a vital emerging economy and investment destination in Asia.Aside from Biden, the President said he is also aiming to meet some other heads of state and heads of big companies.Marcos said he will tap foreign investors and big businesses to invest in the Philippines, especially as the country recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.“So besides the meetings with the political leadership, it will also be for potential investors, other business leaders dahil gusto natin para paahunin nga natin, para pasiglahin natin ang ekonomiya na makapag-invest at ‘pag nag-invest mayroong bagong negosyo. Kapag may bagong negosyo, may trabaho,” he said.Marcos will deliver the country’s national statement during the UNGA on September 20 (US time).He is expected to outline the country’s expectations of the United Nations and its “contributions to strengthening the international system.” (SunStar Philippines)