Metro Manila, December 6 ------ President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wants to forge stronger partnerships with Mauritania, Laos, and Mongolia in different areas.
Marcos welcomed the ambassadors of the three countries in Malacañang recently. Newly designated Mauritania Ambassador B.A. Samba Mamadou said he is looking for people who could tap the opportunities in his country. “Mauritania is a very small country, population-wise, but we have natural resources, and fishery. We have cooperation with countries like Japan, the European Union, China, and Turkey,” he added. He also said Mauritania has coal, copper, plutonium, and huge gas deposits both offshore and inland.
Marcos said a list of Filipino businessmen who could invest in the African country is already being prepared. “I think in terms of the economy in the Philippines, the biggest change in policy of this government from the last and previous ones, is we are opening up the economy to partnerships — all kinds of partnerships, government-to-government, private partnerships, PPPs, whatever is most advantageous to both parties,” the chief executive said.
Marcos and Laos’ Ambassador Sonexay Vannaxay also agreed to boost Manila and Vientiane’s partnership, particularly in agriculture and people-to-people exchange. “Agriculture in the Philippines has become a very high priority for this government. And so if there is anything that we could collaborate and cooperate, it’s that,” Marcos said. “We can start the agricultural exchanges in the exchange of technology, transfer of technology. And perhaps from there, we can do more,” he added.
The Laotian envoy also sought the country’s assistance in training medical professionals. “I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the Philippines for helping us in many areas… Help us in training the sectors of diplomat, as well as nursing and health areas,” Vannaxay said.
Meanwhile, Mongolian Ambassador Enkhbayar Sosorbaram extended to Marcos the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh to visit the East Asian nation preferably from June to August. Marcos said he will bolster the partnerships in agriculture, energy, and education once he visits Mongolia.
“So these are the areas that I think that with other countries we can cooperate in. And the two-way exchanges are always to the advantage of both sides. I’m looking forward to not only the visit — to visit your country, to visit Mongolia, but I’m looking forward to seeing our relationship grow and have much closer ties with Mongolia in the future,” the president told the Mongolian envoy.
Source: cnnphilippines.com