The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates are ramping up economic and technology ties under their newly signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure, and cross-border investments emerging as key pillars of cooperation.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary and Board of Investments Managing Head Dr. Ceferino Rodolfo met with UAE Minister for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi to align CEPA priorities and explore collaboration tied to the US-backed “Pax Silica” initiative, which the Philippines recently joined.
The talks coincided with plans for a 4,000-hectare AI-native industrial acceleration hub in Luzon, envisioned as a next-generation center for AI-driven manufacturing and digital industries. Officials said the project will require massive investments in power, water, and advanced computing infrastructure.
Rodolfo underscored the “strong complementarity” between the two economies, citing the Philippines’ mineral resources, skilled workforce, and semiconductor manufacturing base alongside the UAE’s strengths in capital-intensive AI infrastructure and advanced technologies.
“There is strong complementarity between Philippine mineral resources, skilled workforce, strong semiconductor and chip manufacturing sector and UAE’s capital-intensive AI infrastructure,” Rodolfo said.
He added that CEPA and Pax Silica could position both countries at the forefront of the next wave of AI-enabled industrialization and digital economy growth.
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver said participation in Pax Silica strengthens existing bilateral frameworks, including CEPA and the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, elevating relations beyond trade into strategic technology cooperation.
Special Envoy to the UAE Ma. Anna Kathryna Yu-Pimentel said the UAE’s AI leadership could help accelerate the Philippines’ ambition to become a regional AI hub, creating opportunities for Filipino engineers, IT professionals, and tech innovators.
During the visit, Rodolfo also engaged UAE energy and technology stakeholders and joined the OECD Critical Minerals Forum, underscoring the Philippines’ push to secure a stronger role in global supply chains for emerging technologies.
