The Philippines will once again roll out the red carpet for foreign dignitaries this week as Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrives in the country for a two-day official visit starting Wednesday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs Tuesday said Mottaki is coming upon the invitation of his Philippine counterpart, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.

Mottaki, Iran’s 11th Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be accompanied by his wife, Madam Tahereh Mottaki, who is also Iran’s director general for Women’s International Affairs and Human Rights, as well as members of the Iranian Parliament and other senior government officials.

Mottaki and his official delegation are expected to arrive at about 1 pm Wednesday.

According to the DFA, Mottaki will be paying a courtesy call on President Arroyo upon his arrival before a bilateral meeting with Romulo to reaffirm the two country’s “commitment and determination to strengthen and enhance relations.”

“The meeting will also provide an opportunity for both sides to strengthen the mechanism for review of bilateral relations and identification of new areas for cooperation,” the DFA said.

A dinner will also be hosted by Romulo in honor of the Iranian Foreign Minister.

During his visit, Mottaki is expected to have consultations on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The Philippines will chair the NPT Review Conference in May next year.

Iran is a party to the NPT but was reportedly found to be not in compliance with its safeguards agreement. The NPT aims to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the world, with 189 countries as signatories.

Mottaki is expected to return to Iran in the afternoon of November 19.

Bilateral relations between the Philippines and Iran started on August 16, 1974. In 2008, Iran invested $125 million in the Philippines’ petrochemical market. The value of oil exports from Iran to the Philippines was pegged at $83 million in February of this year.

Both countries are eyeing to increase cooperation in the areas of tourism as well as in food, energy, construction, technology, science and culture.

Aside from Mottaki, His Excellency Jia Qinglin, the fourth highest official of the Republic of China, is also slated to visit the country on November 19, Thursday.

Chinese Embassy spokesman Ethan Sun said Jia will be meeting with President Arroyo as well as Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker for Women Amelita Villarosa.

He will also be attending the 10th World Chinese Entrepreneur’s Convention (WCEC) at the SMX Convention Center, which is expected to be attended by representatives from 50 to 60 countries.

Jia will be the highest Chinese official to visit the country since Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit in 2007, Sun said.

Jia is the chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and is China’s top political advisor.

Likewise, Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo will be in Manila from November 19 to 22 upon the invitation of Romulo.

The Philippines and Singapore are celebrating the 40th anniversary of bilateral relations this year.

Just last week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in the country for a two-day official visit before attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in Singapore.

The country was also visited by Canadian Minister of International Trade Stockwell Day last week.

Thai princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn also arrived in the country last Sunday on a four-day official visit.