January 14, 2026
MANILA – The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday signed the historic Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)—the country’s first free trade pact with a Middle Eastern nation.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, witnessed Trade Secretary Ma. Christina Roque ink the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) for the Philippines during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 Summit.
“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,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a press release.
It also covers strategic sectors such as digital trade, MSMEs, sustainable development, intellectual property, competition and consumer protection, government procurement, and technical cooperation,” it added.
Philippine exports are expected to benefit under CEPA include bananas, pineapples, canned tuna, electronics, machinery, and other high-demand products.
Trade between the two countries reached almost US$1.83 billion (about ₱108 billion) in 2024.
The UAE was also the Philippines’ 18th largest trading partner and received nearly 39% of Philippine exports to the Middle East.
Preliminary studies predict that 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, the PCO said.
“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,” it said.
“The CEPA is also expected to further complement the Philippines’ network of FTAs with Japan, South Korea, European Free Trade Agreement, and regional agreements within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and trade partners, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement,” the PCO also said.
Furthermore, the agreement will reinforce existing Philippines-UAE arrangements, such as the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, and cooperation in trade, energy, logistics, innovation, and tourism.
After the signing, Marcos and his UAe counterpart held a short meeting—their second since November 2024—highlighting closer ties between Manila and Abu Dhabi. / gsg