Davao International Airport, Davao City
April 10, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte underscored in his departure speech at the Davao International Airport that his visits to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Bahrain and State of Qatar aim to promote deeper, more meaningful and more positive engagements with these countries.

“There is much at stake in the Philippines’ relations with the Middle East.  It is the global center of traditional energy resources.  It is a source of investments with potential for much growth.  It is an expanding market for key Philippine products and services.  And it is home to the largest group of Filipinos working overseas,” the President said.

The first leg of President Duterte’s state visit is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he will meet with His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

“It will be an important and valuable opportunity to reaffirm a lasting friendship and to seek ways of further broadening cooperation, particularly in politico-security and defense, trade and investments, anti-narcotics, labor, energy, education and culture,” the President stressed.

His second state visit will take place in the Kingdom of Bahrain to meet with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.  According to President Duterte, his state visit to Bahrain will pave the way to expand the frontiers of friendship and tap into converging interests in order to intensify two-way trade and investments, seek greater politico-security cooperation, and increase exchanges.

Lastly, the Chief Executive will proceed to the State of Qatar to meet with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

“We will seek greater politico-security cooperation, collaboration in the field of health and in culture,” he said.

The President also mentioned that he shall meet the Filipino communities of the three countries to thank them for their support to the government’s efforts in bringing reform and change to the country.

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