Courtesy call

Manila, Philippines -  Ambassador-designate to Portugal Philippe Lhuillier (right) calls on Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario to discuss the possibility of expanding tourism as well as trade, technology and cultural ties with the European country. Lhuillier, former ambassador to Italy, believes the primary objective for his new post is to foster diplomacy to promote the goals of national and economic security as well as the welfare of overseas Filipinos. Portugal’s economic development model has been slowly changing from one based on public consumption to one focused on exports, private investment and development of the high-tech sector. Business services have since overtaken more traditional industries such as textiles, clothing, footwear, cork (of which Portugal is the world’s leading producer), wood products, and beverages.