Doha, Qatar
April 10, 2017

The Republic of the Philippines and the State of Qatar established diplomatic relations on May 5, 1981. The Philippine government opened its Embassy in Doha in May 1992 at the West Bay Area of the capital city.

On April 10, 2012, His Highness, the Father, Amir/ Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani made a historical visit to the Philippines, the first visit of an Arab leader in more than three decades. His visit opened greater opportunities for the promotion of Filipino-Arab relations, which would be further strengthened by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s scheduled visit to Qatar on April 14-16, 2017.

Based from the May 2016 reports of the Qatar Ministry of Interior, there are some 222,712 Filipinos with valid working visas staying in Qatar. Most of them are employed in skilled areas like construction, gas production, and household services.

Ambassador Alan L. Timbayan is the current Philippine envoy to the State of Qatar.

* * *