Manila, 05 April 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert leaves today for an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where she is scheduled to hold talks with ranking officials of the host government and to open the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai.  The Secretary’s visit is made upon the invitation of the UAE Government. 

Upon her arrival in the capital, Abu Dhabi, Secretary Albert will meet with H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and H.E. Mattar Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. She is also scheduled to call on H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirates of Abu Dhabi.

“My visit to the United Arab Emirates is intended to reaffirm the friendly ties existing between our two countries and to seek new avenues for cooperation in order to move our bilateral relations forward,” the Secretary said.

“The UAE is also home to an estimated 175,000 overseas Filipinos.  I intend to convey the Philippines’ sincere appreciation for the UAE’s genuine concern for their welfare and well-being,” she added.

The Secretary also said that she plans to seek the UAE Government’s continued support for the Philippines’ bid for OIC Observer Status.  “The United Arab Emirates has been supportive of our bid to attain OIC Observer Status.  My visit is intended to seek a reaffirmation of this support in order to bring us one step closer to this goal,” she said. 

After her courtesy calls, the Secretary will meet with the officers of the Philippine Business Council.  In the afternoon, she will proceed to Dubai for the opening of the Philippine Consulate General and to meet with the leaders of the Filipino community.

“The Philippine Government will open a Consulate General in Dubai to provide on-site services to an estimated 80,000 Filipinos residing in the Northern Emirates. Dubai is also the financial and business hub in the Gulf region. By opening a consulate in the area, we intend to further develop the commercial, economic, cultural, scientific and consular relations between the UAE and the Philippines,” Secretary Albert said.

As part of her official activities, the Secretary will meet the members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Dubai. She explained that this meeting is intended to draw attention to the need to increase trade and investments between the two countries.

“Trade trends between the Philippines and the UAE indicate better prospects for expanded commercial exchanges. I intend to discuss with the UAE business people the great potentials the Philippines can offer as a center for trade and as a leading investment and tou rism destination in Asia,” Secretary Albert said. END.