MANILA — The Philippines and Qatar on Monday signed bilateral agreements to increase cooperation in various areas, including tourism and combatting human trafficking during the two-day state visit of the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to Manila. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the Qatari leader in Malacañang on Monday morning where he was given arrival honors. 

"With the Philippines and Qatar sharing 43 years of deep friendship and cooperation, I am certain that our discussions today will translate to stronger collaboration in common fields of interests," Marcos told the Amir during the bilateral meeting. 

The Philippine leader said he looks forward to further strengthening ties between the Philippines and Qatar, particularly on commercial, government-to-government, and people-to-people ties. 

“This is our aspiration and I think that if we come to--- if we are agreed that this is the way to go, there is much potential that we can take advantage of,” he said. 

The Amir, meanwhile, called the Philippines an “important partner” for Qatar in many fields, particularly in trade and economic cooperation. 

“We aspire to improve these relations to increase communication between the private sector and both the countries,” he said. 

The Qatari leader also praised the Filipino community in Qatar for contributing to the development of their country. 

"This is my pleasure to take this opportunity to praise the Filipino community residing in the State of Qatar and their effective contribution to the development, and progress of our country," he told President Marcos.

According to Malacañang, Qatar serves as a second home to at least 242,609 Filipinos, with OFW remittances from Qatar amounting to $895.33 million in 2022 alone. 

Meanwhile, a total of 9 bilateral agreements were signed during the visit: 

1. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the State of Qatar on the waiver of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special or official passports
2. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the State of Qatar on cooperation in the field of sports
3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the State of Qatar on cooperation in the field of youth
4. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the State of Qatar on cooperation in combating human trafficking
5. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the State of Qatar on technical cooperation and capacity-building on climate change
6. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the State of Qatar in the field of tourism and business events
7. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the State of Qatar on mutual recognition of seafarers' certificates
8. Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry
9. Memorandum of Understanding between the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Qatar were formally established 43 years ago on May 5, 1981.