04 April 2016 – Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo C. Santos led the Philippine delegation in the Joint ASEAN-Qatar Chamber Business Forum last March 27 at the Seminar Hall of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI).

This event was a collaboration between the ASEAN Committee in Doha (ACD) and QCCI. Currently chaired by Singapore, ACD is composed of the Embassies of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam in Doha.

“Qatar has keen interest in strengthening ties with ASEAN countries, not only in the field of energy, but in other economic sectors as well, such as construction, tourism, and real estate,” Qatar Chamber Vice-Chairperson Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Towar Al Kuwari said in his welcome remarks. He also encouraged “ASEAN firms to work in major Qatari projects in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup 2022.”

ACD Chairperson, Singaporean Ambassador Wong Kwok Pun, meanwhile expressed optimism that despite the oil crisis, Qatar-ASEAN trade will continue to rise in 2016. “With a total population of 622 million, which makes it the third largest in the world, ASEAN can be a substantial market for Qatari businesses,” Ambassador Pun added.

Among the Qatari investments in ASEAN are Ooredoo, Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar National Bank, Qatar Petroleum International, Qatar Airways, Hassad Food, Katara Holdings, and Katara Hospitality.

Deputy Head of Mission Gonaranao B. Musor made the country presentation on behalf of the Philippines. “From being the ‘Sick Man of Asia’, the Philippines has finally transformed into the ‘Rising Tiger of Asia’ due to the tremendous growth that the country has experienced, which should encourage Qatari investors to explore the Philippine market,” Mr. Musor said.

Under the Investment Priorities Plan 2014, some of the sectors that the Philippines has been promoting to foreign investors include manufacturing, agribusiness and fishery services, economic and low cost housing, hospitals, energy, public infrastructure and logistics, and public-private partnership (PPP) projects, and investments in ARMM.

Aside from PH Embassy representatives, other PH-owned companies and organizations that participated in the business forum are Philippine Airlines, Inc., Vista Land (MBVillar Group), Montealto Global Consulting, Inc., LBC Express, and the Philippine Business Council-Qatar. END