The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations on August 19, 2024, marking five decades of strong bilateral ties.
This partnership, which began on August 19, 1974, has strengthened over the years with the establishment of major offices, official visits and bilateral meetings.
In this issue, we explore how this strong partnership has fostered growth through mutual benefits and agreements on labor, trade, investment, technology and more, paving the way for a brighter future for both countries and their people.
“Employment opportunities plummet in the United Arab Emirates”
A major benefit of this partnership is increased employment opportunities and career growth for Filipinos. In 2017, after productive discussions, the two countries established a Joint Cooperation Committee and four labor agreements were signed, including the Convention on the Recognition of Skilled Employment.
The agreement allows Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to have their documents apostille by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and attested by the UAE Embassy in the Philippines and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ensuring their qualifications are fully recognised and improving their chances of accessing higher paying jobs.
There are more than one million Filipino professionals in the UAE, making them one of the largest expatriate populations in the country, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Filipino Times in 2021 and released at the Global Business Forum-ASEAN, organized by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Expo 2020. The survey also revealed that about 89% of Filipino professionals are likely to see a salary increase in 2022.
Bilateral talks have also boosted employment opportunities: last year, the late Susan Opur, former Minister of Immigration and Workers Affairs, reported that the UAE was actively seeking medical professionals.
“Aco, paty trabajo com, protectado.”
Apart from excellent career opportunities, OFWs in the UAE are also well protected in terms of work and welfare. Three more labour agreements were signed in 2017, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Labour Cooperation, a MOU on Domestic Worker Employment and a Labour Exchange Supervision Agreement.
These agreements support Filipinos by strengthening labor protections, ensuring fair treatment, and improving working conditions in the UAE. In addition, the MOU on anti-trafficking provides protections beyond job security and actively safeguards the safety of OFWs. With these protections in place, the UAE stands out as a top destination for Filipino workers, ranking second only to Saudi Arabia in the 2022 Philippine Statistics Authority survey.
“Magkasaman Asenso.”
Apart from people-to-people contacts, diplomatic relations also facilitate trade between the two countries. Just recently, on the sidelines of COP28 in the UAE, the terms of reference for the negotiation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) were signed by former Philippine Trade Secretary Fred Pascual and Secretary of State for Foreign Trade His Excellency Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
The free trade agreement aims to boost investment, streamline trade and create new opportunities for professionals and businesses. Additionally, through CEPA, the Philippines aims to expand market access for its exports of halal products, tropical fruits and luxury goods to the UAE.
The UAE is the Philippines’ second-largest trading partner in the Middle East and Africa region, handling about 30 percent of the country’s trade with the region, according to state news agency WAM.
Due to existing bilateral relations, Philippine snacks, beverages, food ingredients and dairy products are already available in the UAE, giving familiarity to OFWs. Recently, the Philippines introduced more Halal-compliant Philippine products to the UAE market with Gulfood 2024.
CEPA aims to strengthen trade relations, lower tariffs and ease barriers, as well as attract more investments and new joint ventures. In the first half of 2023, trade volume excluding oil between the UAE and the Philippines is expected to reach US$500 million, up 19.4 percent from the previous year. In 2022, total non-oil trade will be US$1.9 billion, double the previous two years’ combined.
“The UAE is truly a friend.”
But this partnership is not just based on trade and economics. As the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed, and the UAE has demonstrated this through their humanitarian work, extending their support to our own Filipino people.
Recently, on the directives of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE sent 80 tonnes of relief supplies to the Philippines to help people affected by landslides and floods in the wake of Typhoon Karina.
However, this is not the first time the UAE has extended a helping hand to the Philippines. As a staunch ally, the UAE has consistently supported the country through organizations such as the Emirates Red Crescent. It supported the Philippines with PPE, medical supplies and 100,000 doses of vaccines during Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the Taal Volcano eruption in 2020, and during the pandemic. It also sent 50 RT-PCR machines and test kits on August 19, 2022, and 50 tonnes of relief supplies, food and medicines in response to the Mayon Volcano situation on June 12, 2023.
“What next?”
Aside from existing agreements and humanitarian efforts, the UAE and the Philippines also cooperate in areas such as space technology, AI and military defense.
In 2023, the Philippines and the UAE signed agreements on strengthening digital infrastructure and cooperating in space research for disaster management, food security and agriculture. These agreements aim to develop technology services, create employment opportunities and enhance space exploration. The two countries are also negotiating an MOU on science and technology cooperation, including in AI.
Meanwhile, the two countries are also looking to strengthen security cooperation through a defense pact. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. discussed the matter during a meeting with UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Al Zaabi last year. If signed, the pact would cover education, training exchanges and industrial collaboration.
This continued support and cooperation highlights the deep and growing friendship between the Philippines and the UAE. As we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, it is clear that ties between the two countries are growing stronger and promising developments are underway that are paving the way for a brighter future for both countries and their people.
Amid these partnerships and deals towards closer cooperation and mutual prosperity, Filipinos have no choice but to express their deep gratitude and admiration. Malaming Salamat, UAE! Wishing you continued friendship and shared success!