President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (MB File Photo)
President Marcos has kicked off his one-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by presiding over a meeting with Cabinet officials, who are accompanying him on his trip.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos arrived in Abu Dhabi at 11:09 p.m. (Abu Dhabi time).
"Punong-puno ang schedule ng Pangulo sa pagbisita nito sa Abu Dhabi. Kaninang umaga ay sinimulan ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang kanyang araw at pinulong ang kanyang gabinete sa isang working breakfast (The President’s schedule during his visit to Abu Dhabi is packed. Earlier this morning, President Marcos Jr. began his day by holding a Cabinet meeting over a working breakfast)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Marcos' delegation included the secretaries of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), and Ambassador Alfonso Ver.
Marcos is also expected to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center.
On Tuesday, the President is also set to attend the opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where he will deliver a keynote speech.
Marcos will also hold a business meeting with DAMAC Digital, a global digital infrastructure company to advance the country's business and technology interests.
He will also meet with the Filipino community in Abu Dhabi.
The President will conclude his short visit by attending the high-level gala dinner during the closing ceremony of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability week.
"Hindi bakasyon at pang-sarili ang pagpunta sa Abu Dhabi, trabaho at negosyo, pambansang interes at seguridad. Ilan lamang iyan sa patuloy na isinusulong ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. para mas maginhawa at maunlad na bagong Pilipinas (The trip to Abu Dhabi is not for vacation or personal matters, it is for work and business, for national interest and security. These are just some of the priorities that President Marcos Jr. continues to advance toward a more comfortable and prosperous new Philippines)," Castro said.
During the trip, Marcos is also expected to sign two deals with UAE— Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation.