By Camille A. Aguinaldo, Reporter
QATAR is looking to enhance further cooperation with the Philippines in trade relations, especially on the energy, education and agriculture sector, beyond the present labor relations between the two countries.
“I would like to assure that the state of Qatar is keen to enhance relations with the Philippines in more fields….I think we will promote, we have more to do to enhance the relations. In the last period, the relations with Philippines was really focused on labor. But now I think we have many, many fields to work on that we can benefit,” Qatari Ambassador to the Philippines Ali Ibrahim Al-Malki said during a forum on the Middle East organized by the Philippine Ambassador Foundation Incorporated (PAFI) at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City.
Mr. Ali Ibrahim said he sees more cooperation between the Philippine and Qatari businessmen in the coming years after the Qatari Embassy has invited both parties to visit each other’s countries to explore investment opportunities.
“We’re asking businessmen here in the Philippines to come to Qatar and also the business in Qatar to come to the Philippines to see what they work on here and what are the chances here in the Philippines,” he said.
“The next year, there will be more relationship from the business sector. We’re looking to enhance this in all the fields. I think from the next year, we’re more (than) willing to enhance this relation in trade,” he added.
The Ambassador also noted, without going into details, that an energy agreement between the two countries is already in the works.
“We are studying an agreement between the Philippines and Qatar. We will sign it soon, I think. There will be cooperation for the energy. And already we’re exporting gas to the Philippines and oil as well. And with this agreement, this will…enhance cooperation in this field,” he said.
As for labor relations between the two countries, Mr. Ali Ibrahim also mentioned that Filipino workers in Qatar are considered partners in that country’s development and growth. He added that Qatari companies consider Filipino workers as their “most skilled workforce.”
About 255,000 Filipinos are working in Qatar, according to the DFA.
