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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, UAE sign historic free trade deal

PH, UAE sign historic free trade deal

Published Jan 13, 2026 04:28 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meet during the signing and exchange of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on Jan. 13, 2026 on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026 Summit. (Photo courtesy of PCO)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meet during the signing and exchange of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on Jan. 13, 2026 on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026 Summit. (Photo courtesy of PCO)
The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates have signed a free trade agreement (FTA) during President Marcos' working visit to Abu Dhabi.
Marcos and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan witnessed the signing and exchange of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on Tuesday, Jan. 13, on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026 Summit.
CEPA is the Philippines’ first free trade pact with a Middle Eastern country, Malacañang said.
The agreement aims to reduce tariffs, enhance market access for goods and services, increase investment flows, and create new opportunities for Filipino professionals and service providers in the UAE.
It also covers strategic sectors such as digital trade, MSMEs, sustainable development, intellectual property, competition and consumer protection, government procurement, and technical cooperation.
According to Malacañang, Philippine exports expected to benefit include bananas, pineapples, canned tuna, electronics, machinery, and other high-demand products.
Bilateral trade between the two nations reached nearly $1.83 billion in 2024, with the UAE ranking 18th among the Philippines’ trading partners and accounting for nearly 39 percent of Philippine exports to the Middle East.
Preliminary studies indicate that CEPA could boost Philippine exports to the UAE by 9.13 percent, generate consumer savings, and strengthen overall trade linkages with the Gulf region.
On services, the agreement ensures a stable, non-discriminatory environment for Filipino firms, including MSMEs, across sectors like IT-BPM, tourism, healthcare, education, construction, and professional services.
The CEPA is also expected to further complement the Philippines’ network of FTAs with Japan, South Korea, European Free Trade Agreement, and regional agreements within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and trade partners, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
It will also reinforce existing Philippines-UAE agreements, including the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and cooperation on trade, energy, logistics, innovation, and tourism.
The signing ceremony was followed by a brief meeting between the two leaders, marking their second engagement since November 2024 and signaling a deepening partnership between Manila and Abu Dhabi.

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President Marcos United Arab Emirates (UAE) working visit CEPA free trade agreement (FTA)
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