Philippines-UAE CEPA set to boost economy: Filipinos

Nearly five years in the making, Filipinos said that the Republic of the Philippines-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed on the sidelines of the “Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week” last week, shall definitely help propel the classified lower middle income economy (LMIC), climb up the World Bank (WB)-oriented stratification.

A July 2025 news report in Business World, based in Metro Manila, quoted the WB as having described the Southeast Asian state, being stuck in the LMIC category since 1987; and, that it had “posted a record gross national income (GNI) per capita of $4,470, higher than its GNI per capita of $4,230 in the previous year.”

The WB claimed that the current home to over 117 million “was only $26 shy of” the WB’s lower GNI per capita requirement of $4,496 to $13,935” to attain its goal of becoming an upper middle income economy.”

GNI is the addition of a country’s gross domestic product and the net overseas income of its citizens and companies, minus the compulsory overseas payments.

Chrissie Joy Altura Asuncion, whose work in the UAE became more of a choice 20 years back, has seen “how innovation and forward-thinking leadership can shape a nation’s success. The openness to technology, digital infrastructure, and global partnerships, has resulted in a secure, clean and highly-efficient society.”

She added: “This progress highlights what is possible when a country invests in its future. Development in digital infrastructure – such as data centres, cloud services, and artificial intelligence – are not just economic drivers but foundations for national competitiveness.”

“Hopeful” that her home country follows the UAE transformative pathway, the once low-skilled contract worker in Sharjah who has joined the ranks of the increasing number of entrepreneurs across the emirates and has invested in the Filipino partnership, Jaysiebel Cakes, added: “With strategic investments and collective effort, our country can build a digital economy that empowers Filipinos, attracts global investors, and secures a prosperous future for the next generation.”

Prof. Gau Raganit is another business owner-cum-consultant who gave as well his insights on the inevitability of the “Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation” and implication of the President Marcos Jr. delegation meeting with the top officials of the DAMAC Digital led by founder/chairman Hussain Sajwani.

Away from home in the past 15 years, the Abu Dhabi resident termed the presidential visit as a “game-changer,” because “the CEPA and Defence MoU create a secure, favourable environment for trade.”

The DAMAC “planned” investment in a 250-megawatt data centre in the Southern Tagalog Province of Laguna in Southern Luzon, augurs not only jobs creation but also notably raises the significance of “shared expertise.” “This strengthens opportunities and signals a robust, forward-looking partnership,” Raganit pointed out.

Also from the capital is millennial Clarise Salvatierra Pabello who described the “PBBM Visit” as “more than just a diplomatic stop.”

“It felt like a strategic balanced economic and global engagement and future-focused. The President stood not only as the head of state of the Philippines but also as the representative of a nation ready to deepen and strengthen relations between two nations,” added the Off the Hook Group marketing executive, 38. Gen Z representative Dubai resident since 2009, Leslie Pableo seconded the deepening Philippines-UAE diplomatic and bilateral relations, especially so that the Jan.13 working visit of the Philippine President took place within less than two years; the first was in Nov. 2024.

“With CEPA, the DAMAC investment talks, and the Defence MoU all happening, it is clear that the relationship is evolving beyond labour and into trade, tech, and security. CEPA opens new markets for Filipino goods and services. DAMAC’s interest in digital infrastructure puts the Philippines on the map for data and tech investment. The defence deal signals trust and growing strategic cooperation. This visit was not just symbolic, it was a clear step toward a more future-focused and equal partnership,” the 56-year-old photojournalist expounded.

According to President Marcos, the Defence Pact MoU would support the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernisation programme.

The CEPA, which includes greater access for Filipino service providers in the UAE, is a clear recognition of the acknowledgment of their invaluable contributions to the UAE economy.”