(MANAMA, BAHRAIN) The Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain signed several agreements that will further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries during the second-day of President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit here.

President Duterte arrived at the Sakhir Palace at 8 p.m. (1 a.m. Friday in Manila) where he was accorded an official welcome ceremony with military honors led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain.
His Majesty King Hamad welcomed Duterte to the royal palace where they held a bilateral meeting shortly after the welcome ceremony.

The President was accompanied by his official delegation, among are Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Enrique Manalo, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Special Envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu.

Following the bilateral meeting, President Duterte and His Majesty King Hamad witnessed the signing of four agreements including memoranda of understanding aimed at bolstering friendly ties between the Philippines and Bahrain.

Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Manalo, representing the Philippines, and Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the establishment of a High Joint Commission for bilateral cooperation between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain and the MOU between Bahrain’s Diplomatic Institute and Foreign Service Institute of the Philippines.

Also signed was the protocol amending the convention between the two countries for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital. The protocol was signed by Manalo and Bahrain’s Minister of Finance Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa

Lastly, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed signed the protocol to amend and supplement the air services agreement between Bahrain and the Philippines.

After the signing, the President and his official delegation attended an official dinner hosted by His Majesty King Hamad in honor of the visiting head of state.
The Chief Executive earlier graced a lunch hosted by Sheikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of Kingdom of Bahrain, at Ritz Carlton Hotel. ###PND