23 March 2016 – Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo C. Santos, together with Executive Director for Assistance-to-Natinals Ricardo C. Endaya of the Department of Foreign Affairs–Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (DFA-OUMWA), made a courtesy call on the officials of Qatar Ports Management Company at the new Hamad Port last March 17.

The Hamad Port is part of the ongoing efforts of Qatar to diversify its economy by positioning itself as the newest trade and economic hub in the region.

According to Captain Mohamed Ali Abdelrahim, Executive Director for Port Management of the Qatar Ports Management Company, “this mega-project will be the largest port in the GCC, with a total area of 26.5 sq. km, and is set to redefine the maritime industry in the region.” He added that the Hamad Port will aim to be a “paperless port.”

The soft launching of the $7.4 billion (QR27 billion) Hamad Port was held in December 2015. The completion of the first phase is set for the end of 2016.

Capt. Abdelrahim also reported that they are planning to recruit OFWs for the maintenance and operations of the port and are already coordinating with a duly-licensed recruitment agency in PH that will visit Doha next month to meet with the Qatar Ports Management Company.

“Aside from recognizing the immense economic opportunities that the Hamad Port presents to Qatar’s ongoing development, I also acknowledge with appreciation the country’s interest to enable more OFWs to play an active part in this significant mega-project,” Ambassador Santos said.

Currently, there are 1,200 OFWs out of 14,000 expatriates working at Hamad Port who are mostly engineers affiliated with various contractors involved with the construction. END