Guest of Honor and Speakers’ Profile

Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, Department of Finance, Republic of the Philippines

He is a respected public servant and leader of industry, with over two decades of experience in the public and private sectors. He spent the early part of his career in agriculture, managing a large banana plantation, then in banking, even serving as the president of the then-BPI Agricultural Bank. Upon the invitation of President Corazon Aquino, he joined the Philippine Cabinet and headed the Ministry of Natural Resources (1986) and the Department of Agriculture (1987). He returned to the private sector in 1989, building a career in various industries, including real estate, mining, retail, financial services, energy, and aviation.

Following the election of President Rodrigo Duterte, he once again responded to the call to public service, turning his back on what must have been more relaxing and less hectic days — sometimes, hunting with his sons — in Oregon. As Secretary of Finance, he has been instrumental in maintaining and bolstering the strong macroeconomic fundamentals of the Philippines, with the economy growing approximately 6.7 percent since he assumed office. He has also been a key figure in the restructuring of our decades-old tax system, which President Duterte signed into law in December 2017. The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) promises to boost personal consumption, attract more investments, and generate revenue for the government’s massive infrastructure program. All this — even as he has remained an avid reader and lover of poetry.