(SunStar) 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.