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December 15, 2003

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain,

Within the framework of brotherly relations existing between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain;

Based on the strong ties between the two countries;

Recognizing and supporting the role of tourism in strengthening the affinity and understanding between the people of the two countries;

Wishing to continue enhancing the level of cooperation in the field of tourism;

Having studied the current status of cooperation in tourism between the two countries, and ways in which it might be developed;

Have reached the following understandings:

1. The two sides will take the necessary steps to support the exchange of tourism between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

2. Each side will promote tourism between the two countries within the scope of regulations and laws in effect in both countries by encouraging travel and tourism offices to organise tourist trips for citizens to the other country.

3. The two sides will work to exchange expertise in the development of tourism and to exchange information and expertise with regard to methods of protecting and preserving the environmental, cultural and social characteristics of each country.

4. The two sides will promote the exchange of expertise in the following areas:

(a) tourism and hotel qualifications and curricula;

(b) methods of education and training in specialised institutes and centres in each country; and

(c) tourism and hotel scholarships and training in the institutions of each country.

5. Each side will encourage the exchange of visits by its media representatives to the other country to collect information materials for broadcasting and publication.

6. Each country will acquaint its citizens with the opportunities for investment in tourism in the other country and provide all possible facilities in this area, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in each country.

7. The two sides will promote the exchange of information and expertise in the development of traditional crafts and industries, and in legislation that covers these sectors in both countries.

8. The two sides will encourage the holding of cultural tourist weeks and participation in exhibitions, conferences and symposiums held in both countries.

9. The two sides will promote the exchange of information and data related to tourism statistics in the two countries.

10. The two sides will coordinate marketing efforts and establish joint marketing programs by encouraging cooperation between the offices of travel and tourism in both countries. The two sides will also look into adopting a "twinning programme" between both countries.

11. The two sides will cooperate and coordinate in international meetings, boards and organizations in matters dealing with tourism, in order to support positions and issues of concern to the two countries in the field.

12. The two sides will form a technical committee that will meet once a year in each country alternately for the purpose of implementing the aims and objectives of this Memorandum.

This Memorandum will come into effect following the exchange of notifications by both Participants through diplomatic channels indicating their internal requirements, if any, for its entry into force have been complied with. It will be effective for five years and will automatically be renewed for further periods of five years, unless either side gives written notice of its desire to terminate six months before the expiry of the period concerned.

Signed at Manama on 15 December, 2003, in two originals in the English language.

INSTRUMENT OF RATIFICATION

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETINGS:

KNOW YE, that whereas, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain on Tourism was signed in Manama on 15 December 2003;

WHEREAS, the MOU, consisting of twelve (12) articles, aims to enhance the level of cooperation in the field of tourism between the two countries;

WHEREAS, the MOU provides that the parties will promote tourism by encouraging travel and tourism offices to organize tours to each other's country, by the exchange of expertise in the protection and preservation of the environment and cultural heritage of both countries, by disseminating information on the opportunities for investments in the tourism sector, by participating in exhibits, tourism conferences and symposia, and by adopting a twinning program;

WHEREAS, under the MOU, the parties will form a technical committee that will meet once a year for the purpose of implementing the objectives of the MOU;

WHEREAS, the MOU provides that it will come into effect following the exchange of notifications by both Participants, through diplomatic channels, indicating that their internal requirements, if any, for its entry into force have been complied with;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it known that I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, after having seen and considered the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain on Tourism, do hereby ratify and confirm the same and each and every Article and Clause thereof.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

GIVEN under my hand at the City of Manila, this 23^rd day of February in the year of Our Lord two thousand and four.

BY THE PRESIDENT:

(Sgd.) DELIA DOMINGO ALBERT
Secretary of Foreign Affairs