Philippine President Marcos Jr embarks on working visit to the UAE
Visit comes with ‘a high purpose’ of bolstering Philippine-UAE ties
Manila: Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to visit the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday (November 26, 2024), according to the presidential Palace.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced that the Filipino leader will embark on a one-day working visit to the Gulf country with “a high purpose” of bolstering Philippines-UAE ties.
Nuclear power tie-up
The Philippine leader is eyeing a renewable energy deal with the UAE, as well as a possible nuclear energy tie-up.
In August, President Marcos Jr. said he is hopeful the Philippines could successfully partner with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. (ENEC) as the Asean country explores the possible use of nuclear energy for power generation.
President Marcos had earlier received Mohamed Al Hammadi, chairman and chief executive officer of ENEC, in a courtesy call in Malacañang, the presidential palace.
The meeting with ENEC was attended by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, Benito Techico, Rafael Consing, and Alfonso Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE.
Investments
In May, representatives from the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) met with UAE companies to discuss possible investment opportunities in the country, particularly those relating to clean energy.
The southeast Asian country is actively promoting Halal-friendly tourism.
In the first 10 months of 2024, the Department of Tourism noted that 33,717 visitors from the UAE came to the Philippines, up 23.73 per cent from the same period 2023.
The Philippines, home to more than 7 million Filipno-Muslims (as per 2020 PSA data), is a net importer of halal products ($120 million in 2022, as per USDA), but is also looking to ramp up local Halal certification and production.
In 2023, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based in the UAE sent around $1.35 billion in cash remittances to the Philippines, according to Statista.
Caretaker committee
During the president’s UAE visit, he has assigned Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III as members of a "caretaker committee" to run the country, Malacañang said Monday.
In the past, President Marcos often left Vice President Sara Duterte in charge when he travelled abroad. However, their relationship has worsened since Duterte stepped down as education secretary.