MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Nov. 26 for a one-day “working visit,” Malacañang said over the weekend.
The Palace said Marcos would meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to broker agreements “that will deepen the ties between the two countries,” which have benefitted from the labor and remittances of overseas Filipino workers.
Accompanied by “a lean party,” Marcos is expected to hammer out areas of cooperation with UAE amid his thrust to lure foreign investments.
“While the President’s visit will be short, the goodwill and opportunities it will create will be substantial, resulting in stronger Philippine-UAE relations,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.
“The President will also convey the gratitude of the Philippine government to the leaders of a nation that has tapped Filipino talent, allowing it to flourish in an environment that fosters kindness, respect, and tolerance,” PCO added.
This will be the President’s 31st international trip this year, and comes a month after UAE-based firms DP World and Masdar expressed interest in investing more than P25 billion in renewable energy and port projects in the country.
Al-Nahyan had visited the country in June.
Earlier this year, DP World and Asian Terminals Inc. unveiled the Tanza Barge Terminal in Cavite, aimed at facilitating smoother and faster transport of cargo to and from the capital.
Aside from DP World, the Department of Trade and Industry said Masdar was also looking to make a minimum investment of P600 million in the country, particularly in solar and wind energy projects.
Masdar sees Southeast Asia as a key investment destination.