(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Emir and the Philippine President witness the signing of agreements between the two countries. By Raynald C Rivera | The Peninsula
Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with Philippine President Rodrigo R Duterte yesterday, during which the two leaders witnessed the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the areas of culture, health, technical and vocational education and training and investment promotion and protection.
Duterte returned home from Doha later yesterday after his week-long tour of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar with a total of over $925m worth of investment deals set to generate approximately 26,000 jobs for Filipinos.
Of the $925m deals, $206m worth of deals were signed in Doha between Qatari businessmen and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) that expected to create almost 5,770 jobs in the Philippines, said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella at a press briefing yesterday at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha.
The $206m deals comprise '13 business to business deals in the areas of retirement villages, tourism eco-zone, IT and eco-zone management, hospitals, medical tourism, poultry and halal food processing, manufacture and export facility of nano-structured carbon and agro-industrial eco-zone, said Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez.
The MoUs signed with Qatar include an investment protection and promotion agreement, Lopez said, which provides the 'basic rights and guarantees to investors of both parties as well as 'identification of opportunities and cooperation in that field and ease of doing business.
Lopez noted with the signing of the investment protection and promotion agreement, there is a possibility to open $1bn investment funds from the Qatari Sovereign Fund. Acting Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said the MoU in the field of culture aims at 'reinforcing cultural programs, encouraging bilateral cultural exchanges and activities including musical, theatrical and artistic groups and promoting each of our country's culture and the arts.
The MoU will also call for artistic exhibitions and translation of literary works.
The MoU on technical and vocational education and training would facilitate exchanges of professionals in technical areas and in technology institute management. It would also aim at providing assistance to trainees and trainers in the form of scholarships and exchanges and dissemination of research and study materials as well as encourage exchange of technology programmes between private enterprises, added Manalo.
Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell Ubial said the MoU on health cooperation , which was ten years in the making, encompasses cooperation in all important fields of health.
'It is a very comprehensive agreement. It looks into the support of joint activities with international health organisations like the World Health Organisation and the Gulf Cooperation Council. It particularly focuses on areas of research in the healthcare field, exchange of expertise in health field and exchange of scientists, experts and other health professionals, facilitating internship and advance courses for both Filipino citizens and Qatari nationals to promote the principles of reciprocity and mutual benefit, said Ubial.
'Only last month, the Qatar government recognised the reciprocity principle among our healthcare providers so our doctors and all health professionals can practise in Qatar and Qataris can study and practise in the Philippines, she added.
Labour and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the Minister of Labour has made a commitment 'that we will have a meeting with their committee to consider the repatriation of about 86 Overseas Filipino Workers who are staying in the shelter of our Philippine Overseas Laboour Office. Hopefully we can obtain the release in a month or two.
Lopez stressed the President's visit to the Middle East and earlier in Southeast Asia is part of what he terms 'Dutertenomics which includes creating more jobs, businesses and opportunities for Filipinos, among its aims.
Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani hosted at the Emiri Diwan yesterday a luncheon banquet in honour of President of the Republic of Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and the accompanying delegation.
During the banquet, the Philippine President praised the solid realtions of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, stressing keenness to enhance and promote them in all fields including trade, economy and the military.
He also expressed gratitude over the care and kindness accorded to the Filipino community in Qatar, extending an invitation to the Emir to visit the Philippines.
The Emir expressed satisfaction over the development of bilateral ties, stressing that President Duterte's visit to Qatar would further support and enhance relations between the two countries.
The Emir also welcomed his invitation to visit the Philippines. The banquet was attended by a number of Their Excellencies the Ministers.
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