QNA

MANILA QATAR and the Philippines on Tuesday signed an agreement to establish a joint business council in addition to a number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during the Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani’s one-day state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

The documents were signed during a round of official talks held by HH the Emir with the Philippine President Benigno S Aquino III which was attended by the dignitaries in the official delegation accompanying HH the Emir.

The two sides also discussed bilateral relations and means of enhancing and developing them in all fields, in addition to reviewing a number of issues of mutual concern during the talks.

After the talks, HH the Emir and the Philippine president witnessed the signing of the agreement to establish a joint businessmen council between Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

A set of MoUs were signed between the governments of the Qatar and the Philippines.

The MoUs are related to mutual cooperation in the tourism, legal, agricultural and fisheries sectors.

Qatar Holding also signed an investment MoU with the Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry prior to the talks. HH the Emir and the Philippine president held a bilateral meeting.

HH the Emir arrived in Manila earlier on Tuesday afternoon on a state visit to the Philippines and was welcomed upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport by Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario, Secretary of Energy Jose Rene Almendras and a number of other senior officials including Qatar’s Ambassador to the Philippines HE Jassim bin Ali al Obeideli and Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Crescente R Relacion.

Upon arrival, HH the Emir proceeded to the presidential palace where a red-carpet reception ceremony was accorded to him. Upon arrival at the presidential palace HH the Emir and the dignitaries of the accompanying official delegation were welcomed by President Aquino III, senior military and civil officials and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Philippines.

HH the Emir and the accompanying official delegation left New Delhi earlier on Tuesday wrapping up a three-day state visit to India.

In the evening, HH the Emir attended a dinner banquet hosted by the Philippine President in his honour.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario, Secretary of the Energy Department Jose Rene Almendras, Qatar’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Philippine Ambassador to Qatar and a whole host of senior officials were present at HH the Emir’s farewell at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

In a written message to President Aquino III, HH the Emir expressed his thanks for the good reception he and his accompanying official delegation were accorded.