Manila, Philippines – His Highness the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has arrived in the Republic of the Philippines for a state visit on Sunday. This visit is crucial to improving bilateral relations and cultivating friendship between the two countries. His Highness was greeted warmly at the Maharlika Presidential Airport (Villamor Airbase) in Manila by several dignitaries, including HE Secretary of Energy Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla, HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Philippines Ahmed bin Saad Al Hamidi, and HE Ambassador of the Philippines to Qatar Lillibeth Velasco Pono.
Speaking to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE Ambassador Ahmed Saad Al Hamidi emphasized that the Amir’s visit to the Philippines will surely strengthen relations and friendship. Furthermore, it creates intriguing opportunities for collaboration across other sectors. The visit is particularly significant regionally, considering the Philippines’ involvement in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its economic influence on the regional and global landscape.
The State of Qatar places great value on its relationship with the Philippines, considering it an important friend and partner. Over the past four decades, both countries have actively developed ties in various domains, including economy, trade, and politics. Notably, HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani’s visit to the Philippines in 2012 laid the groundwork for cooperation at both the Philippine and regional levels.
HE Qatar’s Ambassador to the Philippines highlighted key areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, tourism, sports, youth engagement, defense, diplomatic training, agriculture, environment, and climate change. Currently, 31 agreements and memorandums of understanding exist between the two nations, with additional agreements expected during the Amir’s visit. These agreements will cover diverse sectors such as sports, youth programs, tourism, agriculture, and climate-related initiatives.
Both countries aspire to enhance trade and investment cooperation, with a focus on activating the Qatar-Philippines Joint Business Council. Furthermore, Filipino companies operating in various sectors in Qatar provide promising future prospects for establishing new partnerships in vital sectors of priority for both countries.
Additionally, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of the Philippines Ahmed Saad Al Hamidi underlined that the Amir’s visit to the Philippines will be a milestone in the relations and cooperation path between the two countries, pushing the relations to broader horizons for the benefit of the two friendly countries and peoples.
Meanwhile, Her Excellency Lillibeth Velasco Pono, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the State of Qatar, emphasised that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s visit to Manila is a clear signal of the two countries’ thriving relations. She said, “Such a high-level visit is a strong indicator of blossoming relations between our two countries. It also gives a fantastic opportunity for the two sides to have a personal exchange of ideas on bilateral issues, as well as develop stronger engagement resulting from a shared sense of duty as regional and global actors.”
Ambassador Lillibeth further emphasised that HH the Amir’s visit is an excellent chance to increase the scope of the two countries’ existing spheres of cooperation beyond people-to-people contacts. Trade and investment, agriculture, defence, education, energy, and culture are among the priority areas.
Her Excellency expressed interest in the formation of the Philippines-Qatar Joint Economic, Commercial, and Technical Committee. Once operational, this mechanism will serve as a vital platform, enabling various government entities and institutions on both sides to achieve common goals. Relevant action plans will be developed, and real steps will be implemented to make business operations more efficient.
