RP-Qatar business council builds up mideast relations

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine-Qatar Business Council will open up a more aggressive move to partner with businessmen in the Middle Eastern countries in the next few months, to boost industry linkage with Philippines and the Middle East.

Philippine-Qatar Business Council head Eric Ng Mendoza said that more pro-active programs will be introduced soon, to convince more Cebuano industry players to partner and promote their businesses in the Middle East.

Mendoza, who is also the president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) said after the Mandaue Business Month (MBM 2009) this coming August, the council will immediately impose its programs to strengthen the Philippine-Qatar Business Council.

Although, this is a nationwide group, Mendoza said it is very important that Cebuano business players will initiate more pro-active stance in linking with the Middle Eastern market, at the same time encourage investments from this continent to Cebu.

Last year, when the group was formed, some businesses in the Philippines established joint venture deals with mideast countries such as San Miguel Brewery. Qatar Telecoms also poured in a huge investment in the country.

Similar agreements are expected to come, especially in Cebu, as soon as the business sector joins the industry linking crusade with Qatari businessmen and eventually the huge Middle Eastern countries, initiated by the council.

Cebu for instance, which is home to the country’s top furniture exporters, could benefit from this council. To date, 40 council members are set to showcase furniture products to the wealthy Qatari consumers, as well as growing institutional clients, like new hotels, and tourism related establishments.

Mendoza, who also owns a furniture exporting company, said that active stance of forging direct relationship with the international market, outside of the United States, is one of the main focuses being embraced by the exporters now.

The State of Qatar is one of the target markets for furniture, and home furnishing products in Cebu, while the US market is getting thinner.

The Philippine-Qatar Business Council was formed last year, endorsed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), under its committee on international relations.

Mendoza is also co-chaired by another Cebuano businessman Manuel Osmeña of Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa.

He said the council will pave the way for a lot of business opportunities and trade exchange between the two countries.

Cebu developed close relations with the State of Qatar a few years back, with the opening of the first direct flight from Cebu to Doha served by Qatar Airways.

According to Mendoza, closer trade relations between Cebu and Qatari businessmen will be easier with the availability of direct flight here.

Mendoza hopes that more businessmen from Cebu would consider marketing their products and services to the Qatari market, in turn, more Qatar-based investments may be put in Cebu, like infrastructure partnership deals, among others.