BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: The Philippine embassy is forging ahead with efforts to bring more Filipino food companies to Qatar since it launched Kulinarya Qatar, a movement to promote Filipino cuisine in the mainstream.
“That is something we are working on. We have met the management of QDC to bring in Filipino processed food products. We are also tapping Mama Sita’s and Nutri Asia,” Ambassador Wilfredo C Santos said yesterday, in response to a query on increasing the presence of Filipino food companies in Qatar.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the opening of the Filipino Community Family Day as part of Kulinarya Qatar events.
Mama Sita’s and NutriAsia, Filipino companies which produce sauces and condiments, are providing ingredients for culinary competitions of Kulinarya Qatar, he said.
“We are continuously promoting Filipino cuisine and products in Qatar and hope that a lot more companies will be able to establish their franchises in Doha,” said Consul Gonaranao B Musor, who heads the economic diplomacy unit.
The establishment of more Filipino food companies here, Santos said, will satisfy Filipinos’ longing for the authentic taste of Filipino food back home and benefit the companies by giving them more exposure and additional market to conquer.
“This will bring more economic activities that benefit the companies which will bring more employment to our people,” he added.
The four-day event that opened yesterday at InterContinental Doha The City sees the participation of 22 Filipino food establishments in Qatar and combines food and cultural performances.
Famous Filipino food chains which have established presence in Qatar such as Jollibee, Chow King and Gerry’s Grill, along with local Filipino restaurants, have gathered under one roof to provide authentic Filipino dishes to Filipinos, locals and other expatriates.
Santos expressed happiness with the outcome of Kulinarya Qatar events and said he is thankful being “blessed with a large and active community.
“Kulinarya Qatar is community-driven. While it is under the auspices of the Philippine embassy, the people undertaking preparations for it are Filipino restaurant owners and Filipino community leaders,” he said.
To utilise Filipino cuisine as a platform to promote the Philippines as a business, tourist and trade destination, Kulinarya Qatar has lined up events until next year, including culinary competitions for professionals and amateurs and regular Filipino food week in hotels.
“We are happy with the success we have achieved so far in Kulinarya Qatar. In the GCC, I think we’re the only embassy which has this programme that promotes economic diplomacy and our cuisine and I hope to encourage other ambassadors in the GCC to have a similar programme. We will have a regional consultation meeting in December to discuss the programme and other issues that affect our kababayans in the Middle East,” he said.
Filipino Community Family Day runs until Saturday from 10am to 11pm at InterContinental Doha The City. The Peninsula
