The CEPA is the Philippines’ first free trade agreement with a country in the Middle East.
It aims at reducing tariffs, enhancing market access for goods and services, increasing investment flows, and creating new opportunities for Filipino professionals and service providers in the UAE.
It also covers strategic sectors like digital trade, sustainable development, intellectual property, competition and consumer protection, government procurement and technical cooperation, according to media reports in the Philippines.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Marcos witnessed the signing of the agreement on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026 Summit
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 per cent of Philippine exports to the Middle East.
Preliminary studies indicate the CEPA could boost Philippine exports to the UAE by 9.13 per cent.
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