PH, UAE vow to boost economic, trade ties

The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates vowed to continue bolstering relations across various sectors, including economy, trade, and sustainability.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. met with his counterpart, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

''Today I welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (@bongbongmarcos) to Abu Dhabi to discuss opportunities to further deepen cooperation between the UAE and the Philippines across vital fields, including economy, trade, and sustainability,'' Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said in a social media post.

''As our countries celebrate 50 years of friendship and collaboration, we remain committed to bolstering ties and bringing lasting benefit to our peoples,'' he added.

Marcos, during his one-day visit to the UAE, expressed gratitude to the UAE's assistance in several matters, including the arrest and turnover of a sex trafficker to the Philippine authorities as well as the training and support for the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The Philippine president also thanked the UAE for pardoning 143 Filipinos during this year’s Eid’l Adha and for its humanitarian aid to victims of recent floods in the Philippines.

The two countries established diplomatic relations on August 19, 1974.

Almost 700,000 Filipinos are working or residing in the UAE, contributing to the Gulf state’s development, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

The PCO earlier said Marcos would convey to the UAE government the country's gratitude for tapping Filipino talent, "allowing it to flourish in an environment that fosters kindness, respect, and tolerance."

Marcos will return to Manila on Wednesday, November 27. — VBL, GMA Integrated News