Envoy sees more exchanges between Filipino, Qatari businessmen in 2016

More exchanges between Filipino and Qatari businessmen are expected next year, as a follow up to interactions held recently in Doha, Philippine ambassador Wilfredo Santos has said.In his year-end message to the Filipino community in Qatar, the envoy highlighted the embassy’s achievements especially on the economic front in the past eight months since he assumed office on April 29.Citing the positive impact of two-day ‘outbound business mission (OBM)’ held in Doha last month, he stressed such exchanges will further enhance the trade and economic relations between Qatar and the Philippines.The event had seen nine Philippine companies conducting business-to-business meetings with Qatari counterparts followed by merchandise visits to LuLu, Al Meera and Carrefour. After the OBM, the Philippines-Qatar Trade Initiative (PhlQat) comprised of top Filipino business leaders from the telecommunications, agriculture, real estate, aviation, information technology, petroleum, logistics, tourism and hospitality, and business process outsourcing, among others, met with members and officials of the Qatar Chamber last month.The embassy also hosted several Philippine government officials from different agencies who met with various Qatari officials in Doha. “Such visits signify the strength of our country’s relations with Qatar, and we aim to further increase such interactions among our government officials in line with our efforts for more active bilateral relations in 2016,” Santos said.The embassy also launched a brand/movement dubbed as ‘Kulinarya Qatar’ aimed at promoting the Philippines as a leading tourist and business destination in Asia through Filipino cuisine. “Kulinarya Qatar’s success was shown through the huge turn-out during the Eid al-Fitr 2015 Filipino Food Festival and the Filipino Community Family Day held in July and September,” Santos said.On the cultural front, the embassy had the opportunity to promote the Philippines’ rich culture and heritage at the Asean Festival from April 30 to May 2 held at Katara- the Cultural Village.The embassy was also able to bring members of the Ballet Philippines in August followed by a gala screening of the award-winning film ‘Heneral Luna’ in October – all held at Katara.To better serve Filipino expatriates in the country, the embassy has signed a Delivery Services Agreement with Qatar Postal Services Company on August 10 which started in mid October.Filipinos will only pay a QR25 fee for passport delivery to their doorsteps or at their preferred address. “This will hopefully make the passport application process more convenient for Filipinos in Qatar,” the envoy added.The embassy also exceeded its target of 16,000 registrants for the 2016 Presidential elections in May next year. “This is just the beginning of many changes and initiatives that will benefit not just Filipinos in Qatar but the Philippines in general,” Santos added.