Portugal reopening embassy in PHL, wants stronger economic ties

Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Philippe J. Lhuillier meeting with Engr. Filipe Araújo, Porto’s City Councilor for Innovation and Environment together with Consul General Gines Jaime Ricardo D. Gallaga (Photo courtesy of the DFA)

MANILA — Portugal plans to reopen its embassy in the Philippines in the next few years after shutting down operations in the country in 2011.

Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Philippe J. Lhuillier said the European nation eyes to re-establish its embassy here in order to strengthen bilateral relations with the country particularly in terms of trade, investments, and tourism.

Portugal had a business delegation this month led by José Manuel de Carvalho Marques, mayor of Portugal’s Sarbosa City.

The Portuguese delegation visited Cebu City last week after Sarbosa City and Cebu City signed a Sister-City agreement to boost ties between the two cities.

The Sister-City agreement arose tracking areas where Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan made important stops during his expedition in search of “Spice Islands” or Moluccas in Indonesia.

The two countries were related to Magellan as Sarbosa City is the birthplace of the explorer and Cebu is where he was defeated and died.

Aside from Cebu City there are 20 other cities worldwide engaged in the Sister-City pact.

According to the Sarbosa City’s Marques, the agreement will also create multilateral relations among the 21 cities.

Meanwhile, Marques mentioned that there is large market in Portugal for Philippine food products like mangoes and octopus.

Two big Filipino firms also invested in Portugal.

On the other hand, Portugal’s major exports to the world include wine, olive oil, corkscrew, shoes, and renewable energy technologies.

“We are glad to have this opportunity to host the delegation headed by Mayor Marques. The trip has produced fruitful partnerships and has started the rediscovery of each other by the two countries,” Lhuillier said.