There are over 260,000 Filipinos who call Qatar their home, says Philippine envoy
- Amir’s visit to Manila is strong indication of flourishing relations between two countries: Lillibeth Velasco Pono
- She said they are looking at strengthening engagement in two sectors: culture and labour.
NT Bureau
Doha: Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the State of Qatar H E Lillibeth Velasco Pono stressed that the visit of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Manila is a strong indication of flourishing relations between the two countries.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), she said “such a high-level visit is a strong indication of flourishing relations between our two countries. It also provides an excellent opportunity for the two sides to have a personal exchange of views on bilateral issues and foster greater engagement arising from a shared sense of responsibility as regional and global actors.”
She also stressed that HH the Amir’s visit is a great opportunity to broaden the scope of the two nations’ existing fields of cooperation beyond people-to-people relations to encompass trade and investment, agriculture, defense, education, energy, and culture.
She emphasized that the relationship between the Philippines and Qatar is founded on robust people-to-people ties, noting that “as of date, there are over 260,000 Filipinos from various sectors and industries who call Qatar their home and who collectively contribute to the economic vibrancy and dynamism that the peninsula is known for. Their welfare remains a priority for both the Philippines and Qatar.”
The ambassador noted that the Philippines and Qatar enjoy excellent relations, bound by 43 years of formal diplomatic ties and enduring bonds of friendship that have gone from strength to strength over time.
The Philippines and Qatar have concluded over 20 agreements covering a broad range of thematic areas, include agreements on investments, taxation, air services, labor, establishment of a political consultation mechanism, agriculture, as well as economic, commercial, and technical cooperation, she said.
She said they are looking at strengthening engagement in two sectors: culture and labour.
She noted that the Philippines, which is an archipelagic maritime nation, and Qatar, which is a peninsula, can celebrate shared maritime heritage and develop stronger cooperation to keep seas safe, marine ecosystems healthy, and strategic maritime waterways secure, free, and open.
On trade, HE Ambassador Lillibeth Velasco Pono said that the trade volume between the Philippines and Qatar amounted to close to $600m with Qatar’s exports to the Philippines totaled $540m.
Lillibeth Velasco Pono stressed that “the Philippines regards Qatar as a trusted friend and a reliable partner.
