PBBM vows stronger ties with Sri Lanka, Uganda

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has pledged to advance the Philippines’ bilateral relations with Sri Lanka and Uganda, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Marcos made the commitment during the presentation of credentials of the new Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Philippines Chanaka Harsha Talpahewa and Uganda’s Non-Resident Ambassador to the Philippines Betty Oyella Bigombe in separate ceremonies at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday.

During the presentation of Talpahewa’s credentials, Marcos vowed to elevate the bilateral ties between the Philippines and Sri Lanka to improve the economies of both countries, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement

Marcos expressed optimism about the continued development of the Philippines and Sri Lanka’s relations during Talpahewa’s stint.

“With the continuing hope that the relationship between our two countries, which has been an ongoing and long-standing relationship for [62] years, is something that we will continue to develop and continue to make stronger,” Marcos said, as quoted by the PCO.

“Both our countries are looking to the future to develop the economies of our countries and to make a better life for our people. And I believe that we can find ways to work together to the mutual benefit of both our countries,” he added.

Talpahewa agreed with Marcos and promised to take the two nations’ “warm and friendly” bilateral ties “to the next level.”

The Philippines and Sri Lanka established their formal diplomatic relations on Jan. 11, 1961.

The Philippines has 15 bilateral agreements with Sri Lanka in the fields of consular or visa services, political consultations, air services, educational and cultural matters, trade, defense, higher education, agriculture, research and tourism.

From Jan. to Aug. 2023, the country recorded 1,706 tourist arrivals from Sri Lanka. In 2019, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, a total of 6,412 Sri Lankan tourists visited the country.

Last year, Sri Lanka ranked as the Philippines’ 75th trading partner, with total trade reaching USD29.29 million. Exports were valued at USD20.49 million, while imports were valued at USD8.80 million.

Among the Philippines’ top exports to Sri Lanka include cereal preparations, flour, starch or milk, and pastry cooks’ products; miscellaneous chemical products; animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products, prepared edible fats, animal or vegetable waxes; organic chemicals; paper and paperboard, and articles of paper pulp, paper, or paperboard; sugars and sugar confectionery; plastics and articles; and optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus, and parts and accessories.

The Philippines’ top imports, on the other hand, include rubber and articles; coffee, tea, maté and spices; articles of apparel and clothing accessories; nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, mechanical appliances, and parts; residues and waste from the food industries and prepared animal fodder; preparations of vegetables, fruits, nuts, or other parts of plants; ceramic products; and fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

As of 2022, there are 677 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Sri Lanka, working as craft and related trade professionals, managers, plant and machine operators and assemblers, professionals, services and sales workers, skilled agricultural forestry and fishery workers and technicians and associate professionals.

OFW remittances reached USD760,000 in 2022 and USD235,000 from January to April 2023.

Closer cooperation with Uganda

Marcos expressed intent to explore more areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Uganda, emphasizing the need to keep the two countries’ partnership “strong” and alliances “very profound and alive.”

“It’s a great pleasure for us to welcome you as the Ambassador from the Republic of Uganda to the Republic of the Philippines, and I hope that during the time you will be with us, you will be able to find many ways to strengthen the relationship between our two countries,” Marcos told Bigombe. “We are very much in the same path, our two countries, and therefore, I think the experiences and lessons that we have learned along the way will be of benefit to both our countries.”

Bigombe acknowledged that Uganda and the Philippines have enjoyed “warm, cordial and traditional relations for a long time,” being on the same path of delivering economic development.

She assured the Marcos of her commitment to promoting the two nations’ bilateral partnership.

In 2022, the Philippines’ total trade with Uganda was valued at USD4.04 million.

Also last year, Uganda ranked as the Philippines’ 123rd trading partner out of 231, 94th export market (out of 211), and 191st import supplier (out of 216).

The Philippines’ top exports to Uganda include electrical machinery and equipment and parts, sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles; plastics; and, other made-up textile articles.

The country also ships worn clothing and worn textile articles, and rags; miscellaneous edible preparations; oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds, and fruit; and, industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder.

The Philippines’ top imports from Uganda include essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations; paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, paper or of paperboard; vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories; optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus, and parts and accessories thereof; and tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, and forks, base metal; and its parts.

In terms of tourism, there were 34 and 220 foreign tourist arrivals recorded for 2021 and 2022, respectively. In 2019, foreign tourist arrivals from Uganda totaled 526.

There are an estimated 96 Filipino nationals in Uganda, as of 2022. Majority of them are professionals and skilled workers.

OFW remittances amounted to USD842,000 in 2021 and USD848,160 in 2022. (PNA)

65 Replies to “PBBM vows stronger ties with Sri Lanka, Uganda

  1. I’m not that uch oof a online reader to bee hhonest but
    your siters really nice, keep iit up! I’ll go ahead and bbookmark your
    site to come bck later on. All tthe best

  2. Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite
    reason seemed to be on the web the easiest thing to be
    aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while
    people consider worries that they plainly do not know
    about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined
    out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal.
    Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  3. You’re so cool! I do not believe I’ve read through anything like that before.
    So nice to find another person with some genuine thoughts on this issue.
    Seriously.. thank you for starting this up.
    This web site is something that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality!

  4. Hmm it looks like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess
    I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly
    enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing.

    Do you have any points for newbie blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.

  5. Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The words in your content seem to be running off the screen in Firefox.
    I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to
    do with browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.
    The design and style look great though! Hope you get the issue fixed
    soon. Many thanks

  6. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you can do with some pics to drive the
    message home a little bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog.
    A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.

  7. you’re actually a just right webmaster. The web site loading
    pace is amazing. It sort of feels that you’re doing any distinctive trick.
    Also, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a magnificent activity on this subject!

  8. Hello, i believe that i saw you visited my site so
    i got here to return the choose?.I’m attempting to find issues to improve my site!I assume its adequate to use some of your ideas!!

  9. Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest writing
    a blog article or vice-versa? My site addresses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you are interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward
    to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!

  10. Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could
    i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable
    deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast
    offered bright clear idea

  11. Nice post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!
    Extremely useful info specially the final section 🙂 I care for such information a
    lot. I used to be seeking this certain info for a long time.
    Thanks and best of luck.

  12. Hi, i believe that i saw you visited my blog so i came to go
    back the desire?.I am attempting to find issues to improve my site!I guess its good enough to
    make use of some of your concepts!!

  13. What’s up friends, how is the whole thing, and what you wish for to say concerning this post,
    in my view its truly remarkable designed for
    me.

  14. Simply wish to say your article is as astounding.
    The clarity in your post is simply excellent and i
    could assume you’re an expert on this subject.

    Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding work.

  15. Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying
    to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
    If you know of any please share. Many thanks!

  16. Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to produce a great article… but what can I say… I hesitate a
    lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.

  17. Heya are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the
    blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own.
    Do you require any coding expertise to make your own blog?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  18. I do agree with all the concepts you’ve offered on your post.
    They’re very convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are
    too short for newbies. May you please extend them a little from
    next time? Thanks for the post.

  19. I used to be recommended this web site via my
    cousin. I am no longer certain whether this put up is
    written by way of him as no one else understand such special about my
    difficulty. You’re wonderful! Thank you!

  20. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted
    to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.

    In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write
    again soon!

  21. Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board
    and I find It really useful & it helped me out much.

    I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.

  22. Amazing things here. I am very satisfied to look your article.
    Thanks so much and I’m having a look forward to contact you.
    Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?

  23. I’m not sure where you are getting your information,
    but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.

    Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this information for my mission.

  24. whoah this weblog is wonderful i love reading your articles.
    Keep up the good work! You know, a lot of people are searching around for this information, you can aid them greatly.

  25. Hello there! This article could not be written much better!
    Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!

    He always kept preaching about this. I’ll forward this article to him.
    Pretty sure he’ll have a great read. Many thanks for sharing!

  26. Its such as you learn my mind! You appear to know a lot
    approximately this, such as you wrote the book in it or something.
    I believe that you can do with some p.c. to force the message
    home a bit, but other than that, that is excellent blog.

    An excellent read. I will definitely be back.

  27. We stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I should check things out.

    I like what I see so i am just following you. Look
    forward to checking out your web page for a second time.

  28. Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said
    “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.
    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!

    LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell
    someone!

  29. Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you may be a
    great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back someday.
    I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great
    work, have a nice morning!

  30. I have read a few just right stuff here. Definitely
    price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much effort you put to create such a great informative
    web site.

  31. you are actually a just right webmaster. The site loading velocity is incredible.
    It kind of feels that you are doing any unique trick.
    Furthermore, The contents are masterwork. you’ve
    done a fantastic activity in this matter!

  32. Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
    There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
    Please let me know. Thank you

  33. This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and sit up for in the hunt for more of your excellent post.
    Additionally, I’ve shared your web site in my social
    networks

  34. It’s the best time to make a few plans for the longer term and it’s time to be happy.

    I’ve read this submit and if I could I wish
    to counsel you few attention-grabbing things or tips.
    Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read more issues about it!

  35. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s
    equally educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
    The issue is something which not enough people are speaking intelligently about.
    I am very happy I stumbled across this during my search for something relating to this.

  36. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is needed to get set up?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% positive.
    Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Many thanks

  37. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came
    to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its
    ok to use some of your ideas!!

  38. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as
    I provide credit and sources back to your site? My blog is in the very same area of interest as yours and
    my visitors would genuinely benefit from a lot of the information you provide here.
    Please let me know if this alright with you. Cheers!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *