President Marcos has appointed Ma. Anna Kathryna “Kat” Yu Pimentel, the wife of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III as the Special Envoy to the United Arab Emirates for Trade and Investment.
She took her oath of office before President Marcos on Tuesday, June 4 and was accompanied by the senator and her family members.
"I am profoundly honored by the trust and confidence President Marcos has placed in me," said Kat.
"My mission is to help in the strengthening of our investment and trade relationship with the UAE", she added.
Pimentel also attended the courtesy call of the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on President Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
She brings a strong commitment to bolstering the economic ties between the Philippines and the UAE.
Pimentel has also been active in various international forums on investment and economic cooperation hosted by UAE, including the World Government Summit in February 2024, United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP 28 last December 2023, Dubai Airshow and Dubai Watch Week in November 2023, Dubai Expo, and Techspo Dubai.
"With the upcoming 50th anniversary of our diplomatic ties this year, I hope to be able to contribute to the further strengthening of our relationship with the UAE as the President’s special envoy,” she said.
Citing government data, Pimentel said UAE is the country’s 6th largest source of remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the 17th major trading partner, the 21st largest export market, and the 16th largest import supplier to the Philippines.
"There are many opportunities to deepen our ties with the UAE, most especially with the ongoing negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) that is expected to enhance bilateral economic relations, between the Philippines and UAE," Pimentel added.