21 November 2012 – Special Envoy of the Philippine President to the GCC, Mr. Amable Delos Reyes Aguiluz V, together with Philippine Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman Joselito A. Jimeno and Embassy officials called on H.E. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Humoud Al-Busaidi, Secretary General of the Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Special Envoy Aguiluz initiated the discussion by thanking the Omani government for its generous hosting to thousands of overseas Filipino workers in Oman. Secretary General Al-Busaidi, in turn, expressed his appreciation of the contribution of Filipino workers to the development of the Sultanate and described the OFWs as hard working and friendly.

Mr. Al-Busaidi also acknowledged the efforts of the Philippine government, through the Embassy and the visiting Special Envoy, to intensify bilateral relations between the Philippines and Oman. He invited for Philippine participation in Oman hosted fairs and exhibitions on medical, education and culture to further promote Philippine expertise in these fields.

The Secretary General also informed the delegation that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, in his recent address to the Council of Oman, is putting a premium on educating its citizens through technical education and sending thousands of young Omanis on scholarships abroad. Mr. Aguiluz hinted that Oman can tap Philippine expertise in education and training given a good number of excellent universities and training institutions in the country.

Mr. Aguiluz informed the Secretary General that the recent signing of the “Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro” which is a testament to the Philippine government’s initiative to attain lasting peace and stability in the region, has prompted more investors to do business in the Philippines. The Special Envoy also emphasized that the Philippines is growing its market share in the medical tourism industry, given its highly trained medical practitioners and modern facilities.

The meeting also discussed ways in resolving labor-related and illegal recruiting issues, especially in the Oman-UAE border.End.