KSA minister assures PHL envoy of closer ties in agriculture

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has assured the Philippines of closer ties in the field of agricultural cooperation, after the Philippines' new envoy there paid a courtesy call on its agriculture minister. Philippine ambassador-designate to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago invited Saudi investments in Philippine agriculture following a meeting with Saudi Agriculture Minister Dr. Fahd bin Abdulrahman bin Balghunaim in Riyadh. "The Minister expressed support to the Philippine Embassy's mission to enhance bilateral cooperation in the area of agriculture," the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Both sides particularly expressed interest in concluding the bilateral agreement on technical cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, which is under negotiation. Minister 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. At the time, the Saudi delegation looked into potential investments in the Philippines. For his part, Tago reiterated the invitation for Saudi Arabia to invest in the Philippines. He committed to Balghunaim to work closely with the Saudi private sector and chambers of commerce and industry to promote bilateral trade and investments. Also present at the meeting were Jeddah-based Philippine Commercial Representative Paisal Abdullah and Embassy Third Secretary and Economic Officer Paul Saret, and senior officials of the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture. — LBG, GMA News