DAVAO CITY, Philippines—The Philippines and Brunei Darussalam signed two agreements during the state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah in Manila which aimed to promote cultural cooperation and the halal industry.
Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Sultan Bolkiah and Yan Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam witnessed the signing of the agreements in Malacañan Palace on Thursday, April 27.
Sultan Bolkiah will also attend the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit this week.
“Promoting culture remains vital in order to strengthen our identities and protect and promote the values and heritage we hold dear,” the President said in a joint statement with Bolkiah in Malacañan Palace.
“I am pleased today that we signed agreements on cultural cooperation and cooperation in Halal industry and Halal products and services. These positive steps in the right direction, they provide the framework for us to work even more closely,” he added.
Chairman Virgilio Almario, National Commission on Culture and the Arts, and Honorable Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, signed the agreement on cultural cooperation which aims “to promote cooperation in the field of culture and arts by enhancing institutional networking and people to people exchanges.”
The pact also intends to strengthen, promote and develop culture, arts and heritage cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Minister of Energy and Industry in the Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Dato Dr. Mohammed Yasmin Umar sealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Halal Industry and Halal Export Development and Promotion.
The memorandum of understanding aims to foster cooperation in the halal industry and halal products development, reduce technical barriers to trade, facilitate bilateral relations between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam particularly with respect to halal export development and promotion programs.
Duterte said his meeting with Sultan Bulkiah has been successful and productive after the two leaders agreed on close operations on trade, energy investments, counterterrorism, and anti-illegal drug.
“We had productive discussions that show the commitment of both sides to further broaden and deepen cooperation on many fronts. These build on our earlier discussions and agreements made in Brunei,” he said.
“We recognized the importance of the ties that bind our nations and our peoples. With shared aspirations of achieving greater peace, progress and prosperity for our peoples, we agreed to further step up collaborative efforts to achieve common goals,” he added. (davaotoday.com)
