Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Alfredo E. Pascual, Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Department of Trade and Industry for the Republic of the Philippines, finalised the scope of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries, ushering in a new era of trade and investment cooperation between the two nations.

A ceremony in Dubai marked the launch of preliminary talks to establish a CEPA between the two countries, where a joint statement was signed between Al Zeyoudi and Pascual. The announcement is the latest milestone in the UAE’s CEPA programme, which aims to diversify and expand the country’s non-oil foreign trade relations.

The UAE-Philippines CEPA will strengthen existing bilateral ties, which in the first half of 2023 saw non-oil trade increase to $500 million, a growth of 19.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2022. Total non-oil trade between the two countries in 2022 reached US$1.9 billion, double the amount over the last two years.

The UAE is the Philippines’ second largest trade partner in the Middle East and Africa, accounting for approximately 30 per cent of the Philippines’ total trade with the region.

By the close of 2020, the Philippines’ FDI in the UAE reached $31.1 million, while the total UAE direct investment into the Philippines reached $11 million in 2021. Beyond lower tariffs and reduced barriers to trade, the UAE-Philippines CEPA is expected to drive capital flows even further by opening pathways for new investments and joint-ventures. It will also seek to create a platform for SME collaboration.

Commenting on the launch of negotiations, Al Zeyoudi said, “The Philippines is a key strategic partner for the UAE and a high-growth economy in the heart of a rapidly growing region. The launch of preliminary CEPA negotiations reflects our shared desire for sustainable economic growth, a vision we agree can be realised by strengthening our economic ties.

“The CEPA will create new opportunities for our respective business communities, boosting investment and trade exchanges, expediting the flow of goods, and creating new joint investments and projects in priority sectors. I look forward to working with Pascal and his team to forge a deal that delivers real benefits for both sides.” Pascual, in turn, said, “I am most deeply honoured to mark the beginning of a greater and closer economic cooperation between our countries on this most special day when, 52 years ago, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan united the Emirates. With strong people-to-people ties and economic complementarities at its foundation, we are optimistic that the CEPA will result to mutual prosperity and sustainable development for the Philippines and the UAE.” Progress made toward a UAE-Philippines CEPA follows the official state visit of senior UAE government representatives to Manila in September, where the delegation, led by Al Zeyoudi and Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, sought to deepen economic ties and accelerate private-sector collaboration in sectors of mutual interest.

Talks aimed at reaching an agreement between the UAE and the Philippines build on the UAE’s growing roster of CEPA partners, which today includes agreements with seven countries, spanning the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe – encompassing nearly a quarter of the world’s population.

Separately, The Ministry of Investment of the UAE and the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) paving the way for investments that will help drive the digital economy.

The agreement creates a framework for investment cooperation in the digital infrastructure sector, with a special focus on data centers. As physical facilities that organisations use to store critical data and run applications, data centers are vital parts of the digital economy infrastructure. Recognised as one of the emerging data centre markets worldwide, the Philippines offer a robust, rapidly growing ecosystem in this sector.

Data centre projects to be developed under the MoU can reach a total capacity of up to 500 megawatts. To ensure close and impactful collaboration, a key aspect of the agreement is building relationships among public and private sector organisations. The MoU also suggests the introduction of incentives for relevant initiatives and will facilitate knowledge sharing.

The MoU was signed by Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment of the UAE, and Alfredo E Pascual, Secretary of Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines.

Commenting on the agreement, Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment of the UAE, said: “The MoU reflects our commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and setting the stage for collaboration in the digital infrastructure sector. It serves as a blueprint for a future where we leverage advanced technology for the benefit of our societies and economies, driving us towards shared prosperity.