Philippines, Qatar sign deals on commerce and tourism
THE Philippines and Qatar on Monday signed almost a dozen agreements involving commerce, climate action and tourism, including a deal on mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates.
The deals were signed during Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s two-day official visit to Manila on Monday.
The countries also agreed on technical cooperation and capacity-building on climate change.
“There is much potential that we can take advantage of,” Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. told his Qatari counterpart in a meeting at the presidential palace in Manila, according to the palace.
Mr. Al-Thani’s visit to the Philippines was the first for a Qatar emir in more than a decade.
A deal between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry was also signed.
The two countries also agreed to waive visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special or official passports, promote tourism and business events, boost anti-human trafficking efforts, promote youth welfare and strengthen sports ties.
An agreement between the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry was also signed.
Qatar remained a preferred choice among overseas Filipino workers, with about 250,000 Filipinos employed in the Gulf country, the Qatar Visa Center (QVC) said last year. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
