05 June 2015 - Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus I. Yabes undertook the Philippines’ first official visit to Mozambique on May 21 to 23. The visit aimed to jumpstart bilateral relations and enhances the cooperation of two countries in a wide range of areas.
The Philippines expressed preparedness to provide assistance to Mozambique in developing its human resources, particularly in the provision of skills and technical training. Further, the Philippines is ready to share its experiences in managing a developing economy and in protecting a huge overseas workers population.
The Philippines also expressed its willingness to further strengthen political cooperation through the establishment of a formal bilateral consultative forum. Both countries also agreed to vigorously promote a private-sector led commercial and economic cooperation, particularly in the fishing industry and in the packaging of agricultural products.
During the three-day visit, Undersecretary Yabes met with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Nyeleti Mondlane, Deputy Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security Oswaldo Peterburgo, Mozambique’s Investment Promotion Centre Director-General Lourenço Sambo, and with the members of the Chamber of Commerce of Mozambique.
The Philippine Embassy in Pretoria, led by Ambassador Joseph Gerard B. Angeles, who is the concurrent Philippine Ambassador-designate to Mozambique, assisted the Undersecretary and the entire Philippine delegation to ensure the success of the visit.
This visit marks a milestone in Philippines- Mozambique cooperation and heralds the start of closer ties between the two countries, 17 years after diplomatic relations were established in 1997.
The Undersecretary and the Philippine delegation also had the opportunity to meet the Filipino community based in Maputo and were pleased to note that the Filipinos in Mozambique are thriving in the country. There are approximately over 1000 Filipinos residing in Mozambique who are mostly teachers and high-skilled workers. END
