PH Ambassador to Brazil Chan Presents Credentials to Suriname President Santokhi 

 Clockwise from left: Ambassador Chan (right)  presents his credentials to President Chandrikapersad Santokhi of Suriname; Ambassador Chan and President Santokhi discuss the enhancement of bilateral relations between th Philippines and Suriname; At the Suriname Presidential Palace (L-R): Foreign Minister Albert Ramchand Ramdin, President Santokhi, Ambassador Mario Chan, PHL Consul General Joselito Chad Jacinto, Brasilia PE Attaché Norberto dela Rea, and PHL Honorary Consul Egon Audhoe ( Photos from Brasilia PE)

BRASILIA 24 March 2022 – Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Mario F. Chan presented credentials to Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi at the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo on 22 March 2022.

President Santokhi, inaugurated into the position in July 2020, praised the robust cooperation between the Philippines and Suriname, mentioning that his new government’s ambitious plans coincide with an outlook to deepen and expand relations with the Philippines, in line with the need to enhance people-to-people exchanges. The President also praised the economic contributions of small Filipino communities in Suriname in the fisheries, medical, and engineering sectors saying his country needs more foreign labor to support current government programs to stabilize and recover from the adverse economic effects of the pandemic.

Ambassador Chan informed the President that the pending Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Labor Cooperation between the Philippines and Suriname has received positive consideration by the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and will be presented to the Suriname side soon. The Ambassador also assured President Santokhi that bilateral interests between the Philippines and Suriname will move quickly under his watch, thanking at the same time the kind hospitality that Suriname has given to Filipinos who have made the country their second home.

President Santokhi took specific interest in the possibility for the Philippines to supply Suriname with military uniforms, to which the Ambassador favorably responded given his connections as a former officer of the armed military service. The President also mentioned other focus areas of the Suriname economy such as the oil and gas sector, tourism, and agriculture.

For more information, visit  https://www.brasiliape.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.philembassybrasilia.org   or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBrazil/ .END

Left photo:  Suriname Foreign Minister Albert Ramchand Ramdin receives Ambassador Chan’s open letter of credentials at the Foreign Ministry. Right photo: Ambassador Chan signs the guest book at the Presidential Palace as Suriname Foreign Minister Albert Ramchand Ramdin looks on (Photos from Brasilia PE)

Left photo: Ambassador Chan inspects the Suriname Honor Guard.Right photo: Ambassador Chan is interviewed by local Suriname media.(Photos from Brasilia PE)