Oman Ambassador Munther Mahfoodh Al-Mantheri, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Sal Panelo, Secretary of Defense Delfin Lorenzana, Kuwait Ambassador Musaed Saleh Al-Thuwaikh, Morocco Ambassador Mohammed Rida El Fassi, Qatar Ambassador Ali Ibrahim Al Malki, Office of the Middle East & African Affairs Assistant Secretary Joy Quintana, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, Archbishop Gabriele Griordano Caccia, the new papal nuncio to the Philippines and Charge D’Affaires Mr. Ahmed Eddeb of Libya.
13 DECEMBER 2017 – MANILA, PHILIPPINES: The State of Qatar celebrated its National Day a week in advance last December 11, 2017, at Makati Shangri-La Hotel, to commemorate its First Ruler, Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohamend Bin Thani, with the theme of ‘Promise of Prosperity and Glory’.
The reception was attended by foreign dignitaries and government officials such as Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, Chief Legal Counsel Sal Panelo, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, among others.
Qatar Ambassador Ali Ibrahim Al Malki says, “The ties between the Philippines and Qatar are going very well. This year in April, President Duterte visited Qatar and both sides signed new agreements, we are also currently working on other agreements right now. We are expecting this relationship to go ahead with more enhancements in the field of investment, as well as political cooperation.”
The Ambassador continues, “Qatar now has more than 240,000 Filipino workers and they are enjoying the privilege of the Qatari government. They are also our partners in development, and we are looking forward to an even stronger relationship. And because of the FIFA World Cup 2022, we now require additional supply of manpower from the Philippines. We also see Filipino workers as one of the best in the world, very professional, educated and talented.
The FIFA World Cup 2022, which is the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East, is said to be working ahead of schedule.
Qatar’s Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September, said that the “2022 FIFA World Cup is a first and foremost opportunity for the Arab world and the Middle East to highlight the true and peaceful nature of the rest of the world. It also gives the State of Qatar a great opportunity to stimulate innovation, positive change and sustainable development.”
His Excellency continues, “The State of Qatar is currently building 8 stadiums, 64 training grounds, 5 fan areas and accommodation, as well as major infrastructure developments including roads, railways and airports. The World Cup is an occasion to bring people together, overcoming geographical, religious, cultural and linguistic differences.”
Qatar National Day celebrations started 9th of December, and will last for 10 days. Exact date of Qatar National Day is 18th of December.
