Valiram looking to expand operations in PH — Palace

Malaysia-based retail specialist Valiram Group is looking to expand its operations in the Philippines, according to the Presidential Communications Office on Saturday, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s meeting with company officials in Singapore. 

"We are looking to bring the success that we have in Southeast Asia, outside the Philippines, and into the Philippines. You know, we now have a net worth of over 500 stores,'' a Valiram official told Marcos during the meeting. 

''And some brands are not yet represented in the Philippines, so we’ve been working hard, and with everyone’s support and guidance, we’re looking forward to expanding very quickly," the official said. 

The PCO said Valiram is building more airport walk-through stores to provide customers with a pleasant shopping experience. 

"I think you need to have these pockets of spaces that are dedicated for luxury travel retail, and you can have all the categories, whether it's fragrance, cosmetics, tobacco, you know, fashion, and accessories. Watches are also a big business in airports as well,'' the company official said. 

Marcos acknowledged that retail business is a significant part of today’s economy and, in the case of Valiram, of the tourism industry.

"It’s an important sector of the economy. It’s what’s driving the economy now, consumer spending. I always say this: not all Filipinos are Ilocanos. Ilocanos don’t spend," Marcos, a former governor and congressman of Ilocos Norte, said in jest. 

During the meeting, Marcos was accompanied by Speaker Martin Romualdez, PCO Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, and Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo Antonio Macaraig. —VBL, GMA Integrated News