According to the Philippine News Agency, the Philippines and Qatar are intensifying efforts to boost their cooperation. The Qatar Embassy in Manila's Chargé d'Affaires Abdullah bin Salem Al-Khawar said the directive to further strengthen bilateral ties came from Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. In May 1981, formal diplomatic relations were established between the two countries.

At a recent Qatar National Day reception in Taguig City, Al-Khawar said, “The cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Republic of the Philippines has opened up investment opportunities between the two countries, which has led to the expansion of trade exchanges and frequent mutual visits between both countries.”

In response to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, the State of Qatar is making a significant effort to further strengthen its ties with the Republic of the Philippines, especially under the current Philippine Government headed by His Excellency Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Romualdez Marcos Jr.,” he explained.

According to the envoy, President Marcos Jr. has already expressed an interest in enhancing cooperation in investment and trade exchange, health, energy, education, and culture. Additionally, both nations see opportunities to enhance their partnerships on climate change mitigation and regional and international issues.

In the same vein, he praised the more than 300,000 Filipinos in Qatar for their contributions to the country's development. In addition, he stressed Qatar's initiatives to protect workers' rights, including easing the process for migrant workers to change employers. Qatar's Ministry of Interior has approved nearly 340,000 requests from overseas workers to change jobs since August 2020, according to Al-Khawar.