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PH, UAE Sign Free Trade Agreement
The agreement aims to boost Philippine exports by 9.13%, increase investment flows, and create opportunities for Filipino professionals in the UAE, covering key sectors like digital trade and MSMEs.
- On January 13, 2026, the Philippines and the UAE signed the CEPA at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center during ADSW, witnessed by Presidents Marcos and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
- The CEPA aims to reduce tariffs, enhance market access, and increase investment flows, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines, attended a two-day visit to Abu Dhabi with officials including First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Trade Secretary Cristina Roque.
- Bilateral trade hit over $1.83 billion in 2024, underscoring ties as the United Arab Emirates, 18th-largest trade partner of the Philippines, receives around 39% of Philippine exports to the Middle East.
- Initial studies suggest the CEPA may boost Philippine exports by 9.13%, and the UAE hosts around 900,000 Filipinos while leaders held a brief post-signing meeting.
- The CEPA covers strategic sectors such as digital trade and MSMEs, sustainable development, intellectual property, competition and consumer protection, government procurement and technical cooperation, while Philippine products like bananas, pineapples, canned tuna, electronics and machinery are expected to benefit.
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15 Articles
15 Articles
Philippine-UAE free trade deal hailed as first in Manila’s Middle East ties
MANILA: The Philippines entered into its first free trade pact in the Middle East with the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday (Jan 13)
·Malaysia
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UAE, Philippines Begin New Chapter of Trade, Investment Cooperation with Signing of CEPA
The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of the Philippines formalised a new chapter in their economic relations today with the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement – signed during an official ceremony witnessed by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Philippines President His Excellency Ferdinand R Marcos Jr – is set to provide a transformative step in bilateral relations …
·Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left4Leaning Right5Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Right
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Right
56% Right
L 44%
R 56%
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