07 October 2016 — The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, led by Consul General Imelda M. Panolong, graced the grand re-opening of Arabian Stores Co. Inc. (Sarawat Superstores) on October 01 at the Baroom Center.

The re-opening was also attended by the owner of Sarawat, Sheikh Abdullah Binzagr, top officials of Sarawat, other invited guests including Saudi nationals andforeigners who are long-time patronsof the stores.

Consul General Panolong, who joined Sheikh Binzagr in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, congratulated the latter for the grand re-opening of the store, and expressed her delight at the re-opening which included the upgrading and expansion of Sarawat into a more spacious supermarket that provides more choices for a wide-variety of Philippine products. She also informed Sheikh Binzagr that Sarawat will always be the favorite supermarket of the Filipino community.

Sheikh Binzagr, on the other hand, thanked the Philippine Consulate and the Filipino Community for gracing the event and expressed his appreciation for their support.

Sarawat management estimate that 60-70% of its customers are Filipinos.

Shoppers at the grand re-launch day enjoyed various games and entertainment. This included the performance of an Arabic song by a Filipino talent, to the surprise and awe of the visitors, which was arranged by the Filipino Artiste Migrants Ensemble (FAMEat the invitation of Sarawat.

Sarawat Superstores is one of the oldest supermarket chains currently operating in Saudi Arabia, founded by Sheikh Abdullah Binzagr in 1981. END