By Brian Campued
“We are off to a promising start.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hailed his meeting with Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay as the beginning of stronger bilateral ties with the Himalayan kingdom.
The President welcomed the Bhutanese leader, who is visiting Manila to attend the Asian Development Bank’s Asia Pacific Food Systems Forum 2026 this March, during the latter’s courtesy call in Malacañan Palace on Thursday.
In a Facebook post Friday, Marcos Jr. noted that their meeting marked the first leaders’ level engagement between the Philippines and Bhutan since the establishment of their formal diplomatic relations on Oct. 6, 2025.
“A good step forward as we begin building stronger ties in trade, tourism, vocational education, and technical cooperation between our peoples,” the Chief Executive said.
In a news release, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) described the meeting between the two leaders as an “important opportunity” for strengthened bilateral cooperation.
During their meeting, Marcos Jr. emphasized the need for representation for non-resident ambassadors between the Philippines and Bhutan to enhance the two nations’ ties.
He also expressed elation over the present engagement between the two countries through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for skills training and upskilling of workers.
“President Marcos likewise stressed that after the pandemic, there is a realization of the need to forge new partnerships with friends around the world, not only in tourism and cultural exchange, but also in people-to-people, trade, and investment,” the PCO stated.
The Philippines has been exporting commodities to Bhutan, including electronic products, machinery and transport equipment, as well as woodcrafts and furniture; while its top import commodities from Bhutan are wine, fresh grapes, and virgin olive oil.
-jpv
