Byline: DAVID CAGAHASTIAN

President Arroyo leaves for Switzerland today on a three-day visit there to represent the Philippines in the annual World Economic Forum (WEF).

Mrs. Arroyo will depart from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, for Zurich, Switzerland, where

At the WEF working luncheon session, Mrs. Arroyo is scheduled to deliver a speech to rally international support for the planned economic integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by 2015.

The Philippines is the chairman of the ASEAN and recently hosted the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu where talks were held on ASEAN's economic integration and the drafting of an ASEAN Charter.

Tomorrow night, Mrs. Arroyo is expected to represent the ASEAN in a WEF event called "ASEAN's 40 Years" which will review the ASEAN's outlook for economic integration among its 10 members and five dialogue partners in Asia.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the WEF meetings in Davos will allow the Philippines as ASEAN chairman "to present the emergence of the ASEAN community as a formidable bloc as it celebrates 40 years of existence."

The participation of President Arroyo provides her the opportunity as chairperson of the ASEAN "to draw attention to the ASEAN Agenda among global leaders and decision-makers, and highlight the progress we are making towards economic integration," Bunye said in a statement.

Mrs. Arroyo will arrive in Zurich, Switzerland at 4 p.m. today (Manila time), and would proceed to the Casa Bracke in Kloster for a call by Mr. Maurice Amon, chairman of Sicpa. Dr. Stephen Zuellig will also host a dinner for Mrs. Arroyo tonight at the Chesa Grischuna Restaurant.

Mrs. Arroyo is scheduled to leave Switzerland Saturday night after meetings with several Swiss businessmen, and with Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, at the Arabella Sheraton Hotel Waldhuus. She is expected to be back in Manila Sunday afternoon.