President Arroyo has secured a total of $2.1 billion worth of investments during her seven-day trip to Europe, Middle East, and the United States last week.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermtia said the investments outweigh the cost of the five-country swing that entailed P123 million in taxpayers? money.

?In all of the President?s trips abroad, we get benefits. During her five-country swing for a period of seven days, she got benefits for us,? he said.

Ermita said the investment commitments include $200 million from Saudi Arabia to help improve agriculture production; $300 million for agriculture assistance and $350 to $400 million for a high-end hotel in Makati City set to start this quarter from Bahrain; and at least $1.2 billion pledged by a US textile association to purchase Philippine textile products.

Mrs. Arroyo went to Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum, Italy and Saudi Arabia to meet with the Filipino community there; Bahrain to meet with Prime Minister Khalifa Salman al Khalifa; and the US to attend the National Breakfast Prayer.

The Trade Department earlier said it expects foreign investments to reach up to P458 billion this year. Joyce Pangco Pa?ares