Press Release 2011/90, 2 October 2011

AMBASSADOR TAGO INVITES SAUDI AGRO-INVESTMENTS TO THE PHILIPPINES

Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mr. Ezzedin Tago met with Saudi Minister of Agriculture H.E. Dr. Fahd bin Abdulrahman bin Balghunaim in Riyadh at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday.

The Saudi Minister of Agriculture expressed support to the Philippine Embassy’s mission to enhance bilateral cooperation in the area of agriculture.

H.E. Dr. Balghunaim recalled his visit to the Philippines in May 2009, during which he visited Manila and Davao with a high‐level delegation from the Saudi private sector that looked into investments in the Philippines.

Both expressed interest in concluding the bilateral agreement on technical cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, which is under negotiations of the Philippines and Saudi Arabia.

Ambassador Tago reiterated the invitation for Saudi Arabia to invest in the Philippines, and committed to the Saudi Minister of Agriculture to work closely with the Saudi private sector and chambers of commerce and industry to promote bilateral trade and investments.

Philippine Commercial Representative Paisal Abdullah who is based in Jeddah and Third Secretary and Economic Officer Paul Saret who is based at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh joined the meeting.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture also attended the meeting. END