Philippines and South Africa to Pursue Cooperation in Trade, Defense, Science and Technology

23 November 2017 MANILA — The Foreign Ministries of Philippines and South Africa convened the 4^th Bilateral Consultative Forum (BCF) in Manila on November 09. Topping the agenda was increased cooperation in trade, defense, and science and technology.

DFA Assistant Secretary for Middle East and Africa Hjayceelyn Quintana and Deputy Director-General for Asia and Middle East Anil Sooklal of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) co-chaired the meeting which was attended by representatives from the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Mineral Resources, Department of Trade and Industry, and the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) with their Philippine counterparts. Other agencies represented from the Philippine side included the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of National Defense (DND), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

In reviewing all aspects of bilateral relations, the two countries welcomed the diversification of their relations since its formal establishment in 1993. The two sides agreed to facilitate the signing of agreements on trade, defense, and science and technology cooperation. The two sides further agreed to intensify their cooperation in agriculture and blue economy, and to explore possible future joint ventures in the areas of mining, counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing.

In light of the deepening Philippines-South Africa relations, the 5^th BCF to be held in Pretoria in 2018 will be elevated to the level of Undersecretary/Deputy Minister. The 5^th BCF will also coincide with the 25^th anniversary of PH-South Africa diplomatic relations next year. END

Group photo of the Philippine and South African delegations headed respectively by Assistant Secretary Hjayceelyn M. Quintana (1^st row, 5^th from left) and Ambassador Anil Sooklal (1^st row, 4^th from right), and joined by Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Joseph Gerard B. Angeles (1^st row, 4^th from left) and South African Ambassador to the Philippines Marthinus Nicolaas Slabber (1^st row, 3^rd from right).

After the political consultations, Ambassador Anil Sooklal (2^nd from left) pays a courtesy call on DFA Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo (2^nd from right). Also present during the call are Assistant Secretary Hjayceelyn M. Quintana (3^rd from right), Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Joseph Gerard B. Angeles (1^st from right) and South African Ambassador to the Philippines Marthinus Nicolaas Slabber (1^st from left).