Manila: President Benigno Aquino has received $2.3 billion pledges from almost 20 companies in Europe, following his three-day trip there, sources said, adding that during his five-day visit in the United States, he met with leaders of three companies that are interested in doing business in the Philippines.

The realisation of direct foreign investments from Europe would mean additional 55,000 jobs for Filipinos, said Aquino in New York, the transcript of which reached Manila.

One industry leader in Europe which is worth several billions of dollars and has 600,000 employees has started “looking for partners to help in the setting up of this production facility for their products (in the Philippines),” Aquino said, but did not give details.

Aquino’s European visit included Germany, Belgium, Spain, and France.

In San Francisco, Aquino met with heads of three companies such as Caesar’s Entertainment Corporation; International Development; and Wells Fargo Bank, said a palace statement.

Gary Loveman, chairman, CEO, and president of Caesar’s Entertainment Corporation; including Steven Tight, president of International Development, held a meeting with Aquino because of their interest to put up a company in the Philippines, said the statement.

Aquino also met with John Stumpf, chairman, president, and CEO of Wells Fargo Bank. Alsoin the meeting was John Shrewberry, senior executive vice president and CFO of the same company.

In an earlier meeting with members of the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) Business Council, Aquino boasted of the Philippines as a perfect place for foreign direct investment.

The Philippines has been ranked high in the World Economic Forum’s 2013-2014 Global Competitiveness Report, Aquino said, adding that major credit rating agencies have also upgraded their ranking of the Philippines for direct foreign investment.

Majority of Filipinos will reach working age next year, Aquino said, citing a United Nations assessment.

Noting its impact, Aquino said, ”There will be an abundance of talent and creativity in the workforce, ready to spur your businesses to success.”

Citing other reasons why doing business in the Philippines is good, Aquino praised Filipinos as well-educated, good English speakers, and adoptable to the work ethics of the Western corporate world.

Aquino is expected to give a briefing of the gains of his eight-day trip in Europe and the US, after his arrival late Friday night..

Aquino’s trip was successful, but it was also marred by protests from members of the Filipino community when he failed to meet them, especially after reports on how he spent his last day in San Francisco.

Jeff Downs of the Peninsula Gun Store in San Bruno posted online his photo with Aquino, who reportedly bought accessories from the store.

Aquino ate at McDonald on Haight Street in San Francisco, and then he went to a nearby store of jazz CDs, a TV report said.

In New York, students at the Columbia University grilled Aquino for his alleged desire for charter change to extend his one-time six-year term.

They also criticised him for allowing corrupt officials to remain in government; and the slow implementation of land reform in his family-owned Hacienda Luisita, a 5,000 hectare sugar plantation in Tarlac, central Luzon.