Come Friday and a new chapter will be scripted in bilateral relations between Qatar and the Philippines when the president of the latter nation makes his first official visit.

Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines' president, will commence his three-day Qatar visit on April 14, reported Gulf Times.

“Duterte's visit is expected to further boost employment opportunities for Filipino workers and professionals who’re seeking greener pastures in the region,” said a Philippine government official.

Duterte, who is accompanied by other high-ranking Filipino officials, is expected to meet with HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Duterte’s visit is also expected to witness the signing of agreements between the two countries on co-operation and collaboration in the field of health, culture, and technical — vocational education and training.

Meanwhile, The Peninsula reported that the Philippine President will meet the Filipino community in Qatar on Saturday.

“Filipinos are invited to attend the Filipino community meeting with the President to be held at the Lusail Sports Arena (Lusail Multipurpose Hall) on Saturday between 6.30pm to 8pm,” the newspaper reported citing an announcement signed by Philippine Ambassador Alan L Timbayan.

Many of his overseas compatriots are expected to attend the meeting. Prior registration is required for those who wish to attend the community meeting as the venue has the capacity of only 6,000.

“For security reasons and physical layout limitations, the venue will be able to accommodate 6,000 persons. Filipinos who would like to attend the gathering would be required to register their attendance a few days before the event,” said the embassy.

Filipinos can register via the website of United Filipino Organisations in Qatar at http://ufoq.org/index.php/events

The Philippines president, who visited Saudi Arabia and is currently on a tour of Bahrain and then Qatar, will seek stronger cooperation with the three countries, reported Minda News.

He is also expected to seek Qatar’s support in his peace efforts in Mindanao.

He is also keen to promote intercultural dialogue and the Philippines’ efforts at community building in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Philippines is chairing the ASEAN this year.

Arabian Business reported that the Philippines president was also seeking investments to the tune of $650m from the three Gulf nations.

Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) Director General Charito B Plaza said Middle East investors were eager to increase their presence in the Philippines and had committed to investment of $650m.

“There’re 18 projects all in all, 10 from Qatar, one from the UAE and seven from Saudi Arabia,” Plaza said.

Saudi companies are expected to invest $465m and create employment for 15,770 workers while those from Qatar will spend $176m and generate 4,000 jobs.

The UAE’s single project, worth $10m, in the agro-industrial zone, is projected to create 1,000 local jobs.

Meanwhile, Dava Today reported that the president would also work at bringing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), previously on death row but were already pardoned, back home.

“I’ll fly them home. When I return home, I’ll be here with some of them. Those who are given the permission of clemency… we’ll start bringing them back,” Duterte said.

It is understood that there are currently 31 Filipinos on death row in Saudi Arabia and one in Bahrain. No OFWs are on death row in Qatar.