By Joey Aguilar

Staff Reporter

Investors in the Philippines may find the Filipino population in Qatar a huge market for their products especially clothing, real estate and food, vice consul Kristine Bautista told Gulf Times.

Citing the success of some restaurants, fast-food chains and popular clothing brands which are now operating in Doha, she expressed optimism that other Filipino products will be patronised by compatriots and other expatriate communities.

Bautista noted that Jollibee and Chowking for example, two of the leading fast-food chains back home, have also made their mark in Qatar after a few years of operation.

“The market size is an enticing number and provides a good business opportunity for Filipino investors,” said Bautista, also the economic officer at the Philippine embassy.

It is learnt that about 200,000 Filipino expatriates live in Qatar.

In clothing, some Philippine brands such as Bench, Hammerhead and Bunny Jeans (under Trendsetters) have opened shops in Doha. Penshoppe, another popular brand, also wants to bring its products to Qatar, according to Bautista.

Besides restaurants and eateries, she said that some food products such as milkfish and sausages could already be seen in many supermarkets. Those who are into real estate have also established offices both in the UAE and Qatar, enticing Filipino expatriates to buy house and lot in highly-urbanised cities in the Philippines.

Embassy officials led by Bautista toured a group of Filipino businessmen to some of the leading supermarkets in Doha late last year.

She said that the traders were studying what other products can be brought, mainly for Filipino consumption. “We hope to convince Filipino investors to come here, help them find sponsors and promote Philippine-made products as well.”

Analyn Barcelona-Esmer, the chairperson of the United Filipino Entrepreneurs in Qatar (UFEQ), said the number of Filipino entrepreneurs and businessmen in the country has been increasing since last year.

From 12, UFEQ now has 22 licensed members since the establishment of their group in September 2012. These excluded dozens of independent and non-UFEQ members who have been operating in Qatar.

Esmer said this trend was attributed to the rising demand for Filipino products and Qatar’s growing population including expatriate communities.

Many of these entrepreneurs are into food business which offers authentic Filipino food, clothing, salon and
e-commerce.

“The Filipino community here is huge and it is increasing too,” stressed Esmer, who also manages Doha Trendsetter, a company which sells some of the top clothing brands in the Philippines.

But clients of UFEQ members extend to Qatari customers and other nationalities.

She noted the group has inspired some Filipino expatriates to pursue their dream of
becoming businessmen.

“One reason is that we as a group work in unison to promote and market our products,” she added.

Esmer disclosed that some of the Filipino entrepreneurs who joined the group were former employees of companies in Qatar. Doha Trendsetter for example was established after she found a partner who believed in her capability and skills to run the business.

The company started with a capital of QR500,000 and brought some of the best clothing brands in the Philippines to the country. She hired about 10 professionals to run the
business.

UFEQ has also partnered with many organisations in Doha such as private firms, schools, the media, and sports clubs to take part in their local and
international events.

About the challenges in putting up a business in Qatar, she said competing with the international market is one since the prices offered were cheaper.

However, besides the quality of products each Filipino company offers, the support of the whole community has helped them a lot in dealing with this challenge.

While securing a permit to operate in Qatar is being implemented strictly, Esmer said the number of Filipino entrepreneurs and businessmen will continue to increase.

The group also holds entrepreneurship seminars and trainings to its members and partners to raise the level of their skills.