JEDDAH: A Philippine trade delegation from the food sector will visit the Kingdom next month as part of the plan to ramp up bilateral trade relations between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia.
“I have met with officials of the chambers of commerce and industry in Riyadh and in the Eastern Province to discuss the visit of the delegation,” Charge d’Affaires Iric C. Arribas said.
He said that the trade volume between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia touches SR14 billion and that there’s much room for improvement in the bilateral trade in which Saudi Arabia has the advantage.
At the Riyadh Chamber, he met with Saud Al-Sehali, assistant secretary general for economic affairs, and Mansour Shafi Al-Ajmi, public relations manager. At the Asharqia Chamber, he met with Secretary General Abdul Rahman Al Wabel.
“Officials of both chambers expressed great satisfaction regarding the forthcoming visit since it will increase the trade volume between the two countries,” Arribas said.
Arribas noted that there is potential for expansion in halal food products, high-end garment and apparels, classic furniture and home furnishings, fashion accessories, cosmetics and health care products and handicraft.
He said that top 10 Philippine exports to the Kingdom include men’s and boys’ wear, fresh bananas, wooden furniture, canned tuna, sauces and condiments (including spices and mixes), automotive parts, parts of metal machinery, cigarettes, powders (not compressed), among others.
Top imports from Saudi Arabia include petroleum oil and crude, urea, butane, polyethylene, propane, calcium, polypropylene (in primary forms), copper waste and scrap, among others.
Arribas added that the forthcoming visit will also strengthen Philippine relations with the Kingdom which have focused mainly on labor.
Official records show that about 800,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are currently working in Saudi Arabia.
“I have met with officials of the chambers of commerce and industry in Riyadh and in the Eastern Province to discuss the visit of the delegation,” Charge d’Affaires Iric C. Arribas said.
He said that the trade volume between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia touches SR14 billion and that there’s much room for improvement in the bilateral trade in which Saudi Arabia has the advantage.
At the Riyadh Chamber, he met with Saud Al-Sehali, assistant secretary general for economic affairs, and Mansour Shafi Al-Ajmi, public relations manager. At the Asharqia Chamber, he met with Secretary General Abdul Rahman Al Wabel.
“Officials of both chambers expressed great satisfaction regarding the forthcoming visit since it will increase the trade volume between the two countries,” Arribas said.
Arribas noted that there is potential for expansion in halal food products, high-end garment and apparels, classic furniture and home furnishings, fashion accessories, cosmetics and health care products and handicraft.
He said that top 10 Philippine exports to the Kingdom include men’s and boys’ wear, fresh bananas, wooden furniture, canned tuna, sauces and condiments (including spices and mixes), automotive parts, parts of metal machinery, cigarettes, powders (not compressed), among others.
Top imports from Saudi Arabia include petroleum oil and crude, urea, butane, polyethylene, propane, calcium, polypropylene (in primary forms), copper waste and scrap, among others.
Arribas added that the forthcoming visit will also strengthen Philippine relations with the Kingdom which have focused mainly on labor.
Official records show that about 800,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are currently working in Saudi Arabia.
