22 December 2016 – The Philippine Embassy Doha, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture (DA) held an Agribusiness Investment Forum for Overseas Filipino Workers at the Marriott Marquis City Center, Doha on December 17. Representatives from DA were led by Undersecretary Evelyn Laviña and Dubai-based Agriculture Attaché Gil Herico. The event was the last leg of the DA’s three-day investment forum in the Middle East which started in Bahrain and Kuwait on 15 and 16 December, respectively. During his remarks, Ambassador Wilfredo C. Santos thanked the DA for considering Qatar as it is home for some 220,000 OFWs. Ambassador Santos stated that the “Forum will help raise awareness about investment” and will “broaden the horizon of OFWs” in terms of investing their hard-earned remittances. He further emphasized that while investing in agriculture has modest appeal among OFWs, a combination of knowledge and proper management skills will provide a high prospect for return. Around 100 guests from business sector and Filipino communities participated in the event. Also present in the forum was Mr. Haidar Haidari, Omani, General Manager of Abu Khalifa Trading Est. Since 1972, Mr. Haidari, is one of the biggest importers in Qatar of PH agri products. After the lecture presentation on high-value crops, coconut production, and livestock production, representatives from the DA had a one-on-one interview with prospective investors.