On November 26, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss areas of cooperation across various sectors. (Photo courtesy of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan “X”)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday met with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss areas of cooperation across various sectors.

Marcos departed for the UAE on Monday evening for a one-day working visit.

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“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,” Al Nahyan said in a post on “X.”

“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.

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The Philippines and the UAE marked their 50th year of diplomatic relations last August.

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In line with this, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III filed Senate Bill No. 2556, or “An Act Declaring the 19th of August of Every Year as a Special Day for the Commemoration of the ‘Philippines-United Arab Emirates Friendship Day’.”

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Meanwhile, last July, the Department of Trade and Industry and UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi forged an agreement on bolstering the two countries’ economic alliance on digital infrastructure development.

Based on a Global Media Insight blog dated September 25, 2024, Filipinos constitute 6.8 percent, or about 700,000 individuals, of the UAE’s total population.

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READ: PH, UAE boost ties on digital infrastructure dev’t

From this number, around 450,000 Filipinos reside in Dubai alone, which represents approximately 21.3 percent of the emirate’s total population.

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It is also the second-largest employer of Philippine expats next to Saudi Arabiajilibay, making it one of the largest Filipino communities outside of the Philippines.

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