Saudi prince congratulates Aquino on 6 years of PH growth

Philippine President Benigno Aquino speaks at a closing press conference for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit at the International Media Centre in Manila on November 19, 2015. AFP

A MEMBER of the Saudi royal family who was once called the “Arabian Warren Buffett” congratulated President Benigno Aquino III for his achievements during the last six years, Malacañang said on Monday.

“According to (Foreign Affairs) Sec. Almendras, HRH (His Royal Highness) Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud congratulated President Aquino for the country’s pace setting economic growth achieved during the past 6 years,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a text message.

“He (Al-Waleed) also expressed admiration for the significant improvement in per capita income, the palpable transformation of the country’s physical infrastructure as well as the Filipinos’ enhanced sense of pride,” the secretary added.

Coloma said Aquino thanked the prince for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s “continuing friendship and support for the country’s economic development.”

Al-Waleed is also known as a business magnate. He ranked as the 41st richest man in the world in March 2016 by Forbes. He has an estimated net worth of $17.3 billion. He was once referred to by Time as the Warren Buffett of the Middle East.