PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday said his government had secured agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) covering energy, artificial intelligence (AI), and the digital economy.
Mr. Marcos, fresh from his one-day working trip to the Arab nation, said: “We look forward to the implementation of several bilateral agreements in culture, energy transition, legal cooperation, artificial intelligence and digital economy.”
The two nations will also work for the improvement of government activities, visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, special, and official passports, and investment cooperation, he added.
Before his trip, the Presidential Communications Office said Environment Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga was participating in discussions with the UAE regarding an agreement on preventing leakage of plastic waste into the oceans.
It also said the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chair Victorino “Ino” M. Manalo will sign a cultural cooperation deal with the UAE government.
The UAE is the Philippines’ 18th largest trade partner with their total trade hitting $1.88 billion in 2023, according to the Trade department.
It said Manila’s exports to the UAE reached $341.97 million, while its imports from the Arab nation stood at $1.54 billion.
Mr. Marcos said he invited his UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit the Philippines “in the coming months to continue our dialogue and to explore further areas of cooperation.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
