Philippine Ambassador Mario F. Chan presents credentials in Suriname to President Chandrikapersad Santokhi

Ambassador Chan presents his credentials to President Chandrikapersad Santokhi of Suriname

23 March 2022 – Ambassador Mario F. Chan presented credentials to Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi at the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo on 22 March 2022.

 

Pres. Santokhi praised the robust cooperation between the Philippines and Suriname, mentioning that his new government’s ambitious plans coincide with an outlook to deepen and expand relations with the Philippines, emphasizing the need to enhance people-to people exchanges. It may be recalled that Pres. Santokhi was inaugurated into position in July 2020.

 

Ambassador Chan and President Santokhi discuss the enhancent of bilateral relations between th Philippines and Suriname

 

Amb. Chan informed the President that the pending MOU on Labor Cooperation between the Philippines and Suriname has received positive consideration by the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment and will be presented to the Suriname side soon.

 

(top) Ambassador Chan inspects the Suriname Honor Guard/(bottom) Ambassador Chan is interviewed by local Suriname media.

 

 

President Santokhi heaved praise on the economic contributions that the small Filipino community in Suriname are making to his country, mentioning their involvement in the fisheries, medical and engineering sectors. Suriname needs more foreign labor to support current government programs to stabilize and recover from the adverse economic effects of the pandemic. He also mentioned other focus areas of the Suriname economy such as the oil and gas sector, tourism, and agriculture.

 Ambassador Chan signs the guest book at the Presidential Palace as Suriname Foreign Minister Albert Ramchand Ramdin looks on

 

Amb. Chan assured President Santokhi that bilateral interests between the Philippines and Suriname will move quickly under his watch, thanking at the same time the kind hospitality that Suriname has given to Filipinos who have made the country their second home.

 

Suriname Foreign Minister Albert Ramchand Ramdin receives Ambassador Chan’s open letter of credentials at the Foreign Ministry

At the Suriname Presidential Palace (L-R): Foreign Minister Albert Ramchand Ramdin, President Santokhi, Ambassador Mario Chan, PHL Consul General Joselito Chad Jacinto,
Brasilia PE Attaché Norberto dela Rea, and PHL Honorary Consul Egon Audhoe.

 

President Santokhi took specific interest in the possibility for the Philippines to supply Suriname with military uniforms, to which the Ambassador favorably responded given his connections as a former officer of the armed military service. END