PH, Qatar sign MOU on mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificate

PH, Qatar sign MOU on mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificate
April 23, 2024 https://www.portcalls.com/ph-qatar-sign-mou-on-mutual-recognition-of-sea...

The Philippines and Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding on the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates, among nine agreements signed on April 22 during the two-day official state visit of Qatar emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Manila.

The MOU will implement provisions stipulated in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention) of 1978, and the amendments, in which Qatar acceded by Decree No. (14) of 2003. This refers to Circular No. 1450 issued by the Maritime Safety Committee on the January 24, 2013 on the Mutual Recognition of Certificates according to Regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention.

The MOU agreed between the Philippines’ Maritime Industry Authority and Qatar’s Ministry of Transport, “shall apply to the certificates of seafarers who serve on registered merchant ships of any of the participants and sail under its flag except for those who serve on the ships mentioned in Article 3 of the STCW Convention.”

The other agreements signed are the following:

Waiver of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special or official passports
Cooperation in the field of sports
Cooperation in the field of youth
Cooperation in combating human trafficking
Technical cooperation and capacity-building on climate change
In the field of tourism and business events
MOU between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry
MOU between the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Sheikh Tamim in a statement said the Philippines is an important partner of Qatar in many fields, especially in trade and economic cooperation. “And, we aspire to improve this relation to increase communication between the two countries,” he told President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

The Qatari emir noted the Philippines and Qatar seek to improve relations to increase communication and strengthen ties between the private sector of both countries.

He also lauded the Filipino community in Qatar, praising “their effective contribution to the development progress in our country. I thank you once again, Your Excellency and I wish your country, the Philippines a continued progress and prosperity,” he said.

Qatar serves as second home to 242,609 Filipinos. In 2022, remittances to the Philippines from Qatar amounted to $895.33 million.