Qatar-Pakistan sign agreement to Boost Job Opportunities for Pakistanis

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development signs agreement with QD-SBG in Doha on January 22 2024

Over the years, Pakistan and Qatar have nurtured a strong and multi-dimensional relationship, with significant expansion and diversification, particularly in the realms of trade and investment.

In an effort to "significantly enhance employment opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Qatar," Islamabad has signed a number of agreements and letters of intent with Qatari businesses, the overseas Pakistanis ministry said in a statement on Monday.

This occurred during a three-day visit to Qatar by Jawad Sohrab Malik, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development.

The agreements involve partnerships with well-known firms such as Qatari Diyar-Saudi Bin Laden Group Construction (QD-SBG), Hamad Bin Khaled Contracting Company W.L.L (HBK), Ali Bin Ali Holding W.L.L, Sheikh Jabor Bin Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani (JMJ) Holding, Tabeeb Care Medical Services, and Al Rawnaq International Commercial Projects.

These deals mark a crucial step in strengthening Pakistan-Qatar bilateral relations, particularly in the area of human resource development.During his visit, Malik also had a significant meeting with Hamad Saleh Al Qamra, Chairman of Al Qamra Holding, focused on recruiting Pakistani manpower for various projects under the company’s purview.

The visit also included an inspection of View Hospital, part of Elegancia Health Care, which is actively hiring Pakistani health professionals following a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Elegancia Health Care and the Overseas Employment Corporation of Pakistan.

"The primary objective of these initiatives is to create enhanced employment avenues for Pakistani workers in Qatar," clarified the overseas Pakistani ministry.

Emphasizing Pakistan's potential as a major exporter of manpower, Malik detailed the government's commitment to streamline this process.

Pakistani Community in Qatar remitted $1 billion in 2023

Initiatives include the establishment of reputable recruitment agencies, skill development programs, and aligning with the requirements of foreign employers.Additionally, during Malik's visit, there were separate, individual discussions with Qatar's ministers for labor, interior, and education.

In 2023, remittances sent home by the Pakistani diaspora in Qatar reached approximately $1 billion, according to Malik. "These agreements and discussions signify a significant step in enhancing the presence of the Pakistani workforce in Qatar, fostering mutual economic growth and strengthening bilateral ties," stated Malik's office, signaling a new era in the Pakistan-Qatar relationship.

As of 2024, the trade relationship between Pakistan and Qatar continues to demonstrate steady growth. In a trade investment roundtable, it was highlighted that the bilateral trade volume exceeded QR10 billion in 2021. Pakistan's exports to Qatar experienced a significant increase, reaching $250 million, while imports from Qatar were primarily driven by LNG, petroleum, and petrochemical products.

The total bilateral trade more than doubled in fiscal year 2021, amounting to around $3.27 billion compared to $1.57 billion in the previous year.

Source: Doha News