President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday witnessed the signing of a landmark free trade agreement between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during his working visit to Abu Dhabi.
Together with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President Marcos observed the signing and exchange of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed on behalf of the Philippines by Trade and Industry secretary Ma. Cristina Roque.
The ceremony was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 Summit.
The CEPA is the Philippines’ first free trade pact with a Middle Eastern country, marking a significant expansion of the country’s global trade reach. The agreement provides for tariff reductions, improved market access for goods and services, increased investment flows, and expanded opportunities for Filipino professionals and service providers in the UAE.
It covers key areas including digital trade, micro, small and medium enterprises, sustainable development, intellectual property, competition and consumer protection, government procurement, and technical cooperation. Philippine exports expected to benefit include bananas, pineapples, canned tuna, electronics, and machinery.
Bilateral trade between the two countries reached nearly $1.83 billion in 2024, with the UAE ranking 18th among the Philippines’ trading partners and accounting for almost 39 percent of Philippine exports to the Middle East.
Preliminary studies indicate the CEPA could increase Philippine exports to the UAE by 9.13 percent, deliver consumer savings, and strengthen trade ties with the broader Gulf region.
On services, the agreement ensures a stable, non-discriminatory operating environment for Filipino firms, including MSMEs, across sectors such as IT-BPM, tourism, healthcare, education, construction, and professional services.
The CEPA complements the Philippines’ existing free trade agreements with Japan, South Korea, the European Free Trade Association, ASEAN partners, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, while reinforcing bilateral cooperation with the UAE in investment, trade, energy, logistics, innovation, and tourism.
The signing ceremony was attended by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, Foreign Affairs secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Finance acting secretary Frederick Go, and special envoy to the UAE for Trade and Investment Kathryna Yu-Pimentel.
It was followed by a brief meeting between Presidents Marcos and Sheikh Mohamed, their second engagement since November 2024, underscoring the deepening partnership between Manila and Abu Dhabi.
