MANILA, Sept. 6 – President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed on Monday Pakistani Ambassador Mohsin Razi during the latter's courtesy call at the Yellow Room of the Premier Guest House in Malacanang.
Accompanying Razi was Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.
Assigned in the Philippines since October last year, Razi has already visited several parts of the country to elevate bilateral and economic relations during his tour of duty here.
The Philippines and Pakistan, which established foreign relations in 1949, have been pushing for interfaith dialogue as one of the innovative approaches towards peace and development, particularly in Mindanao.
From 2006 to 2008, the two countries jointly presented in the United Nations General Assembly three resolutions entitled "Promotion of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding and cooperation for Peace" which were all adopted by the UN.
Pakistan also supports the Philippines' bid to become an observer in the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
On the other hand, the Philippines is eyeing Pakistan as among the bright prospects in the global halal market, being the second largest Muslim country in the world.
Under the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP), Mindanao is envisioned to become the country's center for halal food production in tapping export markets for halal food products. (PNA) scs/PCOO/lam/utb