UAE, Philippines seal Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as presidents look on

The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of the Philippines formalised a new chapter in their economic relations on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) with the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. witnessed the historic signing of the agreement between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The signing and exchange of the CEPA was held in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE news agency WAM reported that the agreement "is set to provide a transformative step in bilateral relations and help fuel a new era of economic opportunity."

The CEPA was signed by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, and Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Philippines Secretary of Trade and Industry.

The UAE President said the relationship between the UAE and the Philippines continues to flourish, underpinned by a shared vision to broaden cooperation in ways that serve the mutual interests of both countries.

He also expressed confidence that the CEPA would represent a major step forward in bilateral cooperation, contributing to both countries’ shared development goals.

His Highness noted that the signing of the agreement reflects the UAE’s ongoing commitment to building global partnerships that foster economic growth, prosperity, and long-term opportunities for future generations.

The CEPA is the Philippines’ first free trade pact with a Middle Eastern country, marking a milestone in UAE-Philippine relations.

President Marcos Jr is in the Emirates on a two-day working visit, and was among the world leaders welcomed during the opening of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Summit 2026.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Sheikh Mohamed said the two-day summit aims to foster “collaboration and dialogue” to help shape a more sustainable future.

“Reflecting our longstanding efforts to build bridges of partnership between nations, the UAE is committed to working with the international community in fostering lasting progress and achieving shared solutions for a better tomorrow,” he 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.

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 the 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, as well as regional agreements within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and trade partners.

Moreover, it is expected to reinforce existing Philippines-UAE agreements, including the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and cooperation on trade, energy, logistics, innovation, and tourism.

Also present during the signing ceremony were 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.

The signing ceremony, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, was followed by a meeting between the two leaders, marking their second engagement since November 2024 and signalling a deepening partnership between Manila and Abu Dhabi.