Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Qatar
April 15, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte marked his first engagement in the capital city of Doha when he led the Philippines-Qatar Business Forum at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha.

At the beginning of his remarks, the President recalled the Philippines’ history and how the country could have been a ‘perfect’ nation, were it not for imperialism. Because of this, he shared that part of government’s drive towards development is to achieve peace with the Moro community and the leftist group, following the ongoing talks among members of the peace panels.

“We are trying to work out something… We are ready to reconfigure the land, we are ready to concede what was lost of them,” he said, adding that the country today is fundamentally peaceful and that the administration is in the works of ironing out all concerns through the peace process.

Addressing all Filipino and Qatari business and government executives present, President Duterte also took the opportunity to discuss trade opportunities in the Philippines.

“We know that we can offer you so many things from the bounties of the earth… So if you go into business, the place, the Philippines, is big enough to accommodate any kind of vegetation,” he said.

The Chief Executive cited that government would honor contracts, as based from the Philippine constitution. “So as far as trade is concerned, I can assure you, what we signed and agreed with you will be done, even if we lose in the transactions, we will honor what we have promised,” he ended.

Also present were Qatar Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (QCCI) Chairman Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, and other invited guests.

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