Business Mirror | Monday, 26 January 2009
In his unrelenting effort to bring peace and progress to Mindanao, the hotbed of Muslim secessionism in the Philippines, Speaker Prospero Nograles has secured the commitment of Saudi Arabia’s The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdullaziz al-Saud during his visit to the Majlis al-Shura in Riyadh from January 24 to 27.
Nograles, the first Mindanaoan Speaker, had the privilege of meeting with King Abdullah, who expressed keen interest to further strengthen Saudi’s commercial and investment relations with the Philippines, particularly in developing the agricultural and other economic potentials of the Southern Philippines.
Buoyed by the success of his meeting with King Abdullah, the Speaker expressed optimism that the Philippines will not only be able to provide the food requirements of the Kingdom through possible Saudi investments in Mindanao, but also stand as a strong partner in promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue for peace and stability for the rest of the world.
Nograles lauded the initiatives of King Abdullah to stave off the negative effects of spiraling food prices and secure stable food supplies, especially rice, for the Saudi population and provide growth opportunities to the private business sector while taking a leading role in the global effort to address tightening food supply and unbridled inflation.
Nograles spoke of a possible creation of an economic zone of peace in Mindanao through a joint and complimentary effort of both sides as an effective and proven way to achieve lasting peace and progress in the region, while giving assurance that Saudi investments will be protected and highly regarded by all sectors, especially Filipino Muslims.
He also took note of the visit conducted by a Saudi technical team to the Philippines last November to study the prospects of having Saudi investments in the Philippine rice and corn industry as an initial step in forging a strategic partnership through expanded trade and investment for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Also, a memorandum of agreement on agricultural and Fisheries cooperation has been proposed to the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture in order to facilitate mutually beneficial investments in the agriculture and fisheries sector, including exchanges of technical expertise and research studies in many areas in agriculture and fisheries development.
The Speaker hoped that a meeting between concerned Saudi and Philippine officials will be held either in Manila or in Riyadh soon to finalize the details of proposed agroinvestment projects in the Philippines.
The Speaker thanked The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques for his invaluable time and warm reception to the Speaker and his delegation, wishing the King good health and continued success in all his endeavors.
