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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH–UAE partnership seen paving way for first Middle East free trade deal

PH–UAE partnership seen paving way for first Middle East free trade deal

Published Jan 9, 2026 07:10 pm
Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Christina Roque, Department of Finance Secretary Frederick Go, UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Alqataam Alzaabi, Special Envoy for Trade and Investment Ma. Anna Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, and Maharlika Investment Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Rafael Jose Consing Jr., during a series of discussions on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). (File)
Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Christina Roque, Department of Finance Secretary Frederick Go, UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Alqataam Alzaabi, Special Envoy for Trade and Investment Ma. Anna Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, and Maharlika Investment Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Rafael Jose Consing Jr., during a series of discussions on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). (File)
The deepening partnership between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon lead to the signing of the country’s first free trade agreement in the Middle East during President Marcos’ visit to the Middle Eastern nation next week.
In a statement, Special Envoy for Trade and Investment to the UAE Ma. Anna Kathryna Yu-Pimentel said cooperation between Manila and Abu Dhabi has brought both sides closer to finalizing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Pimentel said the agreement is expected to be signed soon as both governments complete the remaining steps toward its conclusion.
The CEPA reflects the level of trust and cooperation built under the administration of President Marcos and the UAE government. According to Malacañang, this is the Philippines' first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country.
The special envoy said the agreement will cover trade in goods and services, investments, small and medium enterprises, digitalization, customs cooperation, governance, and sustainability.
According to Pimentel, discussions gained momentum following meetings between Philippine and UAE officials on the sidelines of international forums, which led to a series of follow-up engagements.
She said high-level exchanges between the two countries signaled strong political backing for the partnership and helped open avenues for broader economic and institutional cooperation.
Pimentel recalled that UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid an official visit to Malacañan in June 2024, followed by President Marcos’ reciprocal visit to the UAE in November 2024, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations.
During that visit, Marcos met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussed cooperation on energy transition, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and legal frameworks.
Since then, the Philippines and the UAE have signed about 22 agreements covering areas such as culture, energy transition, government modernization, security, and legal cooperation.
Pimentel cited figures showing that bilateral non-oil trade reached $1.08 billion in 2023, with the UAE emerging as the Philippines’ largest export destination in the Gulf region.
UAE investments in the Philippines totaled more than $129 million from 2019 to 2023, based on data cited by the special envoy.
Pimentel was appointed as Special Envoy for Trade and Investment to the UAE in June 2024.
UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Alqataam Alzaabi earlier said the planned signing of the CEPA is expected to boost trade and investment flows and reaffirm the UAE’s commitment to the welfare of more than one million Filipinos living and working in the country.

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PH-UAE free trade agreement (FTA) Ma. Anna Kathryna Yu-Pimentel
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