Press Release
June 15, 2011

Jinggoy taps key Qatar businesses for investments, jobs for PH

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has successfully tapped key business firms of the very dynamic State of Qatar to provide strategic investments in the Philippines as well as expanded job opportunities for thousands of Filipinos.

This developed as Sen. Estrada concluded a very fruitful meeting with Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani, chairman of Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) and of Al Faisal Holding, a vast, multi-million dollar conglomerate of more than 30 companies located in various parts of the world engaged in hotels and resorts business; shopping malls; property development; construction; electromechanical contracting; education services; medicine; industrial and consumer products trading; refrigeration and air conditioning; electrics; foodstuffs; transportation services; and international investments.

The meeting capped Estrada's visit to Qatar as the main guest and speaker on the 113th Philippine Independence Day celebration held at the Philippine Embassy in Doha.

"I am greatly honored to have the opportunity to meet and talk with Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani and explore possibilities for his group's investments in the Philippines as well as for their expanded job opportunities for Filipino workers," Estrada, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development and the joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Labor and Employment, said.

Estrada added: "This meeting and discussion with Sheikh Faisal became all the more important because there are information that great economic opportunities could be in store for Filipinos as Qatar is expected to spend nearly 120 billion dollars over the next ten years in various forms of investments and development undertakings, and its demand for labor of all types will double over the next 12 to 13 months."

Estrada offered to host a business delegation of Sheikh Faisal to the Philippines in the coming months, and said he would also organize a Philippine business delegation to Qatar. Both actions, according to Estrada, would further increase and strengthen commercial ties between the two countries. Sheikh Faisal welcomed the senator's initiatives.

Sheikh Faisal showed great enthusiasm when broaching the subject of investment possibilities in the Philippines, particularly in the tourism sector and infrastructure and most importantly, 5-star hotels, but added that all business opportunities for his holding and for other Qatari businesses "will be greeted with interest."

Sheikh Faisal said he is very pleased with the Filipinos' dedication and hard work, noting that among the more than 3,000 employees of his group of companies, over 400 are Filipinos.

The meeting between Estrada and Sheikh Faisal ended with cordial salutations and reciprocal invitations, as the Senator also congratulated the Sheikh and the people of Qatar for winning a well-deserved bid to host the World Cup in 2022.

Estrada likewise expressed his gratitude for and admiration of the Qatari people's hospitality.

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