Message from Honorary Consul-General of the Philippines in Karachi

In 1986, A University in Philippines decided to give scholarship to student in Pakistan in Bachelors of Computer Science and in 1990 the first gold medalist of BS Computer Science graduate landed in Pakistan. Further in 2016-17, Philippines government decided to select same student who is now a successful entrepreneur to represent Government of Philippines in Sind & Balochistan as Honorary Consul General.
At the occasion of Philippine Independence day celebrated and organized by Philippine Consulate on May 11th, 2018 at Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi, I am honored to address the readers of this special supplement published by Business Recorder to mark the 120th Anniversary of Philippine Independence. I appreciate the efforts of Pakistan Philippine Business Forum in combining the bilateral trade partners under one umbrella and wish that this publication provide meaningful information regarding friendship, bilateral trade, and business relations between Pakistan and Philippines.
The Republic of Philippine was formed on June 12, 1898, the country since then achieved several milestones of success and growth. As of 2018, the country's GDP is USD 956 billion and it stands at 12th most populated country of the world with approximately 10 million additional Filipinos living overseas. Economic indicators are on a high note and the country's overall economic growth and infrastructure development is setting the right trend for the way forward.
Bilateral relations were established between Philippines and Pakistan soon after the latter's birth. The first diplomatic mission of Pakistan was opened in Pakistan in 1949. Bilateral relations between the two countries are based on trust and good will and we have successfully built and enjoyed our cordial relationships. It should be noted that this year is a milestone to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Philippines and Pakistan. As the Honorary Consul General of Pakistan, my priority is to further develop and deepen our long standing and warmly cherished mutual cooperation. I am very happy to note that the current relationship has been strengthened with the passage of time, becoming increasingly multifaceted. Philippines and Pakistan share a similarity in valuing their own traditional culture.
Philippines had business relations with Pakistan whereby Generic Pharmaceutical medicines from Pakistan were the first one entered in Philippines through resolution by parliament of Philippines. Philippines has also been supporting developments of infrastructure in Pakistan and PICT is an example of this gesture. Pakistan is one of the major rice exporter of Irri-6 which is seed of Philippines in Pakistan.
At present, Philippines exports from Pakistan include sectors of food & beverage, auto & auto parts, machinery, packing material, tobacco related products, skin care & household goods and second hand clothes whereas Pakistan' exports to Philippines include textile & garments, food & beverage, sport goods, surgical goods, motor & machinery, leather goods, cement. The trade between the two countries is showing signs of future increase and I am optimistic that it will achieve a higher graph from its existing level.
Our economic diplomacy has been particularly strengthened. Experiencing an increase of over 172% in 2017, our bilateral trade has again exceeded the symbolic threshold of approx.: 250 million dollars in the fiscal year 2017. The existing momentum in the economic bilateral relationship was due to continuous joint activities in this regards.
Trade, Cultural and human exchanges are the very foundation for the relationship from a long term perspective, so I actively support events and programs which encourage understanding and harmony between the two communities. To mark the 120th anniversary, our Honorary Consulate has organized a variety of activities today including culture & food. I would definitely be happy to see both our countries and people working together towards promoting democracy, economy, culture, education, and so on.
Cooperation in education, academia, science and culture has also been one of the priorities of my mandate. Being studied in Philippines, I am actively working to facilitate students from Pakistan to study in Philippines particularly in field of engineering and medicine.
We believe in a resilient, strong and stable Pakistan. I reiterate my firm belief in the reinforcement of a sustainable partnership between our two countries and most importantly between our two people.
In Karachi, we have revived Pakistan Philippines Business Council & Pakistan Philippines Business Forum nationwide and Philippines Alumni Association to which we are grateful for as they have always cooperated with us for enhancing friendly business ties between Philippines and Pakistan in various aspects.
Meanwhile, I would like to introduce the activities of the Honorary Consulate-General of Philippines last year which includes:
1. Assisted the Filipino Community of Sindh & Baluchistan in celebrating their Christmas party.
2. Organized the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association (PPMA) - Dinner Gathering to discuss the problems Pharmaceutical Industry was facing and how we can expedite the delegates of food & Drug administration (FDA) to come to Pakistan to inspect Pharmaceutical Companies.
3. Assisted Mr. Muhammad Aslam, Chairman Philippine - Pakistan Business Council in organizing an event with business communities where bilateral trade between both countries was discussed to enhance the trade and bring new products from Philippines to Pakistan.
4. The office of Honorary Consul General assisted the gathering of Pakistani Professionals Philippines organized by Philippines Alumni Association. These are the professionals who have studied in Philippines mostly during high 80's and low 90's and it brought together a big team of professionals who are now working as high business professionals.
5. The Consulate arranged a meeting of Food and Drug Administrative officials with the Governor of Sindh, Mr. Muhammad Zubair at the governor house where it was discussed about the inspection of Pharmaceutical facilities in Pakistan to register more products for the Philippine Market and their ease.
6. The Ambassador, The Honorary Consul General and their teams went to State Bank to Sign an MOU between State Bank of Pakistan and Central Bank of Philippines.
7. The Ambassador, The Honorary Consul General and their teams along with business community visited the Vice President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Karachi was gathered to discuss how the imports of goods can be increased.
8. The Ambassador & Honorary Consul General met the directors of Pakistan - Philippine Business Forum, a Forum where the issues imports and exports particularly in fruits & vegetables, cement and other products were resoved.
9. Consul General invited & facilitated the visit of Dr Rashid Aman, Ambassador of Pakistan in Philippines in Karachi before he proceed to Philippines to brief him about strengthening relations between two countries.
10. Participation of Ambassador as Chief guest facilitated by Consul general to inaugurate Medical & mental health camp of Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi.
11. Consul General arranged & participated in visit of Ambassador & Economic and trade team to Chief Minister house hosted by Honorable CM Syed Murad Ali Shah for strengthening bilateral relations and providing security to delegates from Philippines.
Since this year marks the 69th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, we must renew ourselves to further develop our close ties in this coming commemorative mega 70th anniversary next year. We should make a firm resolve to deepen our cherished ties which will amplify the welfare of both peoples.
Through this message I take the opportunity to renew the appreciation of the Filipino community serving in Pakistan. I wish the economic relations, cultural interchange and people-to-people exchange between Philippines and Pakistan will be further promoted with cooperation of Pakistani people including Philippines-related groups and I, as the Honorary Consul-General of Philippines in Karachi, will make every effort to achieve these goals.
I would like to wish all the Filipinos in Pakistan warm wishes on their Independence Day Celebration. I would also like to congratulate Daily Business Recorder for taking such an excellent initiative of publishing this supplement and wish them success in their endeavors to further strengthening bilateral and economic relations between Philippines and Pakistan.
So let me conclude on this positive note in Filipino and Urdu: Mabuhay Philippines & Pakistan! Philippines Pakistan Dosti Zindabad !