Laos Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh will start his three-day official visit to the Philippines today, Friday, with an expanded bilateral meeting with President Arroyo in Malacañang.
Bouphavanh arrived at around 7:30 last night at the Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and welcomed to the country by Vice President Noli de Castro.
Bouphavanh’s trip to the Philippines is his first official visit to the country since his election as prime minister of Laos in June, 2006, though he had been in the country during the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu last January.
He will be received by Mrs. Arroyo this afternoon in Malacañang Palace where they will hold an expanded bilateral meeting.
They are also scheduled to witness the signing of a bilateral agreement on the promotion and protection of investments between Laos and the Philippines.
Bouphavanh had previously served as first deputy prime minister since October 3, 2003. Prior to this, he was third deputy prime minister and was president of the State Planning Committee.
Bouphavanh was officially elected prime minister of Laos by the National Assembly during a major government reshuffle on June 8, 2006.
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