UAE leaders laud Pinoys’ contributions

Leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) expressed their admiration for the Filipino community’s remarkable contributions to Emirati society during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visit to the country to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations.

On Tuesday, Marcos was welcomed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. He also met with Dubai ruler and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who expressed his gratitude for the Filipino community’s role in helping the UAE reach its current high standing.

Sheikh Mohammed described Filipinos as “civil and gentle,” a sentiment that Marcos echoed in his response, thanking the UAE for its warm welcome and for allowing Filipinos to play an essential role in the country’s growth.

With nearly 800,000 Filipinos residing in the UAE, including 450,000 in Dubai, Marcos emphasized that the relationship between the two nations is built on mutual respect, particularly on the fair treatment of the Filipino workers.

President Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthen its ties with the UAE and explore new areas for collaboration, including trade, tourism and cultural exchanges.

In their discussions, Marcos and Sheikh Mohammed addressed regional stability and agreed on the importance of upholding the rule of law in resolving maritime issues, referencing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Marcos also highlighted his administration’s efforts at enhancing the ease of doing business, drawing inspiration from Dubai’s success in diversifying its economy beyond oil by focusing on services and tourism.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed the hope that Marcos’ visit would usher in a new chapter in the two countries’ partnership, with a shared focus on economic development, innovation and sustainability.

Meanwhile, Marcos extended an invitation to the Emirati President to visit the Philippines in the coming months to continue their discussions on exploring other areas of cooperation.

Marcos returned to Manila on Wednesday morning following his “short but highly productive” visit to the Gulf nation.