28 October 2016 — Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Joseph Gerard B. Angeles called on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s (DIRCO) new Chief Director for Central, South and Southeast Asia, Ms. Bongi Qwabe on September 20.
Ms. Qwabe oversees the general implementation of South Africa’s bilateral relations with the Philippines. Ambassador Angeles and Ms. Qwabe discussed the possibility of expanding bilateral cooperation in tourism promotion, implementation of the PH-SA Air Services Agreement. The two sides also gave updates on the status of agreements awaiting conclusion, such as the merchant shipping agreement and the reciprocal visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
In 2017, both the Philippines and South Africa will hold the Chairmanship of their respective regional organizations – the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), respectively. As 2017 marks ASEAN’s 50th anniversary, the possibility of holding an ASEAN business expo targeting the southern African market, and to be held in South Africa, was also discussed. END