The Philippines is looking to boost joint research programs with the Kingdom, on the basis of earlier discussions between the Saudi national science agency and its Philippine counterpart, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Philippine representatives here last month met with officials from the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Saudi Arabia's national science agency and research institute, to discuss possible areas for joint research and to enhance bilateral relations. Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin Tago met with KACST President Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, who welcomed the visit. They were joined by Vice Consul Atty. Paul Saret, the Philippine mission's Political and Economic Officer. During the meeting, Dr. Al-Suwaiyel directed the KACST Directorate of International Cooperation to identify specific areas of mutual interest in selected fields for joint collaborative research programs. The DOST has submitted a list of Philippine R&D institutions in such fields as computer electronic research; petroleum, petrochemicals and energy research; astronomy and geophysics; food irradiation; and medical and bioethics. The visit's purpose was to promote and expand technical cooperation under the aegis of the two countries' Agreement on Economic, Trade, Investment, and Technical Cooperation, signed in 1994 in Jeddah. According to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs website, the areas of cooperation include: cooperation in the economic fields including industrial, petroleum, mineral, petrochemical, agricultural, livestock and health projects; exchange of information, scientific research, technology; and exchange of experts and training of personnel for specific cooperation programs.
