Philippine Embassy Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot is joined by Kuwaiti Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister for Asia Affairs Ali Sulaiman Al-Saeid, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Senegal Ambassador Abdou Lahad Mbacke, and the heads of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) diplomatic missions in Kuwait in a cake-cutting ceremony during the diplomatic reception for the 121st anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-Kuwait diplomatic relations, held on 20 June 2019 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kuwait. (Mayo Gayares photo)
Philippine Embassy in Kuwait Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot touted the strength of Philippine-Kuwaiti ties during the diplomatic reception for the 121st Philippine Independence Day and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Kuwait, held on 20 June 2019 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kuwait.
In his message before the diplomatic and consular community in Kuwait, Chargé d'Affaires Lomondot said, “Since the opening of diplomatic ties in 1979, the relations between the Philippines and Kuwait have been cordial and friendly as the two countries are continuously endeavoring together in taking significant steps to further boost and strengthen their diplomatic relations.”
Charge d’Affaires Lomondot cited the Kuwaiti government’s “continuous hospitality” to the more than 222,000 overseas Filipinos who have made the Middle Eastern country their second home, and the signing of the 2018 Philippines-Kuwait Agreement on the Employment of Domestic Workers which, the Charge d’Affaires hopes, “shall serve as a model agreement for household service workers in the Gulf Region.”
Kuwaiti Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister for Asia Affairs Ali Sulaiman Al-Saeid graced the Philippine diplomatic reception as its guest of honor. In his speech, Charge d’Affaires Lomondot cited Assistant Foreign Minister Al-Saeid’s role in “speedily addressing all matters that concern the Philippines and Kuwait bilateral relations.”
During the reception, the heads of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) diplomatic missions in Kuwait showed their solidarity with the Philippines by taking part in a cake-cutting ceremony, led by Charge d’Affaires Lomondot, Assistant Foreign Minister Al-Saeid, and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Senegal Ambassador Abdou Lahad Mbacke.
Musical performances by Filipino community members Ms. Kristine delos Santos Torres, Mr. Jumel Carvajal and Mr. Daniel Peter Carvajal capped off the program proper, to the delight of the audience. Guests enjoyed a wide fare of Filipino food throughout the reception, with Beef Kare-Kare and Halo-Halo as crowd favorites.
The Philippines and Kuwait continue to foster friendly relations and frequent exchanges since the establishment of diplomatic ties 40 years ago. The two countries hold high-level visits by their respective government officials, the latest of which was the visit of then Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano in May 2018 for the signing of the agreement on domestic workers. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, undertook in 2012 a state visit to the Philippines, where several agreements were signed.
In terms of economic relations, Kuwait placed 20th among the Philippines’ top trading partners, with petroleum oil as the leading import product. Kuwaiti investments in the Philippines include The Medical City in Clark, Pampanga, and a 1,500-hectare banana plantation in Davao. END
