The State of Qatar celebrated its National Day a week in advance on December 11, 2017 at Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines to commemorate its First Ruler, Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohamend Bin Thani, with the theme “Promise of Prosperity and Glory.” The reception was attended by foreign dignitaries and government officials including Delfin Lorenzana, Sal Panelo and Lani Cayetano.
“The ties between the Philippines and Qatar are going very well,” Qatar ambassador Ali Ibrahim Al Malki said. “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.”
“Qatar now has more than 240,000 Filipino workers and they are enjoying the privilege of the Qatari government,” the Ambassador continued. “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 is the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East. It is said to be working ahead of schedule.
Qatar’s foreign minister His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said in his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States in September 2017 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”. He added that is gives the State of Qatar “a great opportunity to stimulate innovation, positive change and sustainable development.”
“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,” His Excellency stated. “The World Cup is an occasion to bring people together, overcoming geographical, religious, cultural and linguistic differences.”
Qatar National Day celebrations started on December 9, 2017 and it will last for 10 days. The exact date of Qatar National Day is December 18, 2018.
CONAN Daily 