To strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia, the PBBM will visit

SF | To strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia, the PBBM will visit | MANILA – In October, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will go to Saudi Arabia to improve ties between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia.

The news was made by Undersecretary Antonio Morales of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) at the 93rd National Day gathering of Saudi Arabia in Taguig City on Monday night.

Next month, His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will also be in the Kingdom. “This visit will make the already strong, friendly, and lively ties between our two countries and peoples even stronger,” Morales said.

“With all of this in mind, I’m looking forward to our future relationships getting even stronger,” he said.

The DFA hasn’t said everything about the trip or said if it will be an official or a state visit.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, went to the Philippines in 2022 and confirmed Riyadh’s desire to work together more closely with Manila.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Faisal met again last week in New York, this time outside of the UN General Assembly. They agreed to “maintain the positive momentum of bilateral ties,” especially when it comes to working together on business.

Agriculture, energy saving technologies and renewable energy, infrastructure, tourism, and other areas are some of the main areas that the Philippines wants to encourage investment in Saudi Arabia.

Morales said that the Philippines sees Saudi Arabia as a “epitome of a nation with a vision for the future” in his speech at the reception.

“The whole world now looks to Saudi Arabia as an example of how to connect the past and the future,” he said. “Heritage and history are mixed with urbanization, cultural change, and international competition.”

“Because the Kingdom is planning ahead for a strong economy and a lively society, tomorrow will be better.” He also said, “I am sure that our countries can continue to work together and build on our strong bilateral ties with a shared vision of progress for everyone and long-term growth.”

Hisham bin Sultan Al-Qahtani, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the Philippines, said that he hoped the country would continue to have “economic well-being and advancement” under Marcos.

“We value the support and cooperation between our countries very much,” he said. “This is clear from the fact that we are active participants in regional and international forums, working to improve economic cooperation, and building a strong partnership.”

He also said that Riyadh values the contributions of Filipinos working abroad to Saudi Arabia’s growth. (PNA)