Emir of Qatar arriving today for state visit

MANILA, Philippines - The Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani is scheduled to visit the Philippines today upon the invitation of President Aquino, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The scheduled April 10-11 state visit is the first-ever from a Qatari Emir to the country. The Philippines and Qatar have been enjoying a vibrant and dynamic partnership for 31 years.

The Emir is scheduled to meet Aquino and key Cabinet members to discuss ways to further enhance the relations between the two countries especially in the areas of labor, tourism, agriculture, trade, and investments.

“His Highness the Emir’s visit affirms the advancement of political and economic ties between the Philippines and Qatar,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) posted on its website.

“We are looking forward to discussing ways to achieve more positive growth in the realm of trade and investment and increasing opportunities for our Filipino workers,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said.

The state of Qatar is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and is the richest country in terms of gross domestic product per capita. Qatar is host to an estimated 175,000 overseas Filipino workers. - With Delon Porcalla