Philippines, UAE Sign First Middle East Trade Pact

The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, marking Manila's first free trade pact with a Middle Eastern nation. The deal, witnessed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, took place on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week summit at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center.

The agreement, inked by Philippine Trade Secretary Ma. Christina Roque and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, aims to reduce tariffs and enhance market access for goods and services between the two countries. It provides preferential tariff treatment for about 95 percent of Philippine exports to the UAE, covering sectors such as food products including canned tuna and sardines, personal care items like hair creams and deodorants, electronics, automotive and aircraft parts, and textiles. In exchange, more than 83 percent of UAE tariff lines will see reductions or eliminations, benefiting exports like petrochemicals, fertilizers, mechanical equipment, and metals.

Bilateral non-oil trade reached approximately $1.83 billion...