The United Arab Emirates and Philippines are bolstering economic ties with the signing of a Joint Statement on the Proposed Philippines-UAE Comprehensive and Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Both sides have agreed to launch the negotiations for a future CEPA that will strengthen trade, enhance investment flows, remove unnecessary barriers to trade, and create new business opportunities. Further, the UAE and the Philippines are headed towards unprecedented economic relations as the two countries concluded negotiations for the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA).

Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, and Ramon Lopez, Secretary of Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), recognised the signing of the start of negotiations for the CEPA and committed towards the eventual signing of the IPPA.

After the bilateral meeting, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Secretary Lopez signed the joint statement formally announcing the intent to pursue CEPA.

The cooperation between two countries adds another leaf to the success of the ongoing Expo 2020 Dubai in forging stronger connections and opening more opportunities for economic growth and prosperity.

The UAE is the Philippines’ biggest export partner in the Middle East. In 2021, the total trade between the Philippines and the UAE grew by 34.7 percent to reach AED3.5 billion ($951 million) from AED2.6 billion ($705 million) in 2020. In terms of investments, the UAE ranked as the 17th top source of approved investments in 2019, valued at AED48 million ($13.2 million).

During the Philippines Country Business Briefing held in parallel with the Philippines National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, the Philippines welcomed Letters of Intent from GCC companies. These LOIs are expected to bring in AED2.2 billion ($600 million) worth of investments and generate 4,000 job opportunities in the country’s healthcare, energy, tourism and hospitality, and dairy industries.

Secretary Lopez said, “These initiatives are expected to boost trade and investments between two countries, leading to more diversified economic activities, development of new industries, employment generation, and higher consumer spending as we partner for shared prosperity. The Philippines may serve as a UAE’s strategic hub for the Southeast Asian region, as economic activities continue to shift to Asia. Active engagement between government and business sectors is key in ensuring that both countries will maximise benefits of the Agreements, including diversifying and expanding economic interests.”

Lopez highlighted that this is an opportune time for UAE investors as the Philippines develops the necessary investment landscape through significant economic and regulatory reforms such as the liberalisation of the Public Service Act, Retail Trade Law, Foreign Investments Act, the CREATE Act and the aggressive Build Build Build programmes of the Duterte administration.

These are supported by the Philippines’ efforts to improve ease of doing business by streamlining government processes, reducing processing time, and cutting bureaucratic red tape. The opportunities for FDI into several activities are broader and coupled with the IPPA, these investments will reap the benefits of all these reforms and agreements.

Tickets for Dubai’s Museum of the Future, which will open to the public on February 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on a regular schedule, will cost AED 145.

Tickets have been available for purchase on the museum’s website – www.motf.ae – since Sunday. Free tickets are available for children under the age of three, people of determination, and Emiratis aged 60 and up.

Online ticket purchasers for Dubai’s Museum of the Future will be assigned a time slot.

The attraction, which has long been praised as an architectural marvel and has already garnered international awards, is now open to the public.

Due to the possibility of fog formations, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) urged motorists in the UAE to take all precautions.

NCM said in a statement tonight that horizontal visibility may drop even further tomorrow night, Tuesday, 15th February, between 00:30 and 09:30.

Illegal fundraising through social media is widely prohibited in UAE. The authorities have urged caution as the platform continues to be misused. 

A fine of up to AED 500,000 is imposed for those people engaging to illegal fundraising act.  

Communities and social media group admins should be made aware of the law and warned about allowing such illegal posts, according to officials and registered charities.

Temperatures will drop by a significant amount.

The weather in the UAE on Sunday, February 13 will be partly cloudy to cloudy, with a probability of light to moderate rainfall due to a considerable drop in temperatures.

Light to moderate rainfall is forecast across several coastal, northern, and eastern areas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

Moderate to fresh winds, which will be strong at times, will blow and suspend dust and sand over the water, decreasing horizontal visibility.

 His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has received a message from President Rodrigo Duterte of the Republic of The Philippines, dealing with ways of consolidating bilateral relations.

The message delivered to H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, when he received President Duterte’s Special Envoy Robert Borje, at Expo 2020 Dubai.

In turn, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah His Highness handed Borje a message from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to President Duterte, also related to bilateral relations between the two friendly countries.

The two sides discussed the relations of joint cooperation between the UAE and THE Southeast Asian country, in addition to a number of issues of common interest. They also reviewed the participation of the friendly Republic of The Philippines at Expo 2020 Dubai and the role of this prominent global event in enhancing joint cooperation between the two countries in a number of important fields such as industry and trade.

Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the visit of Borje, highlighting the distinguished bilateral relations and the keenness of both countries to strengthen them and develop cooperation in various fields in order to realise the mutual interests of the two countries and bring good to their peoples.

For his part, The Philippines’s presidential envoy praised the impressive organization of Expo 2020 Dubai, which draws wide participation of about 192 countries, and contributes to providing an important global platform to create promising opportunities for cooperation and partnership between countries. He also added that his country participates for the first time with a national pavilion in the World Expo events since the beginning of its participation decades ago.

He also expressed his country’s aspiration to elevate joint cooperation with the UAE in all fields, praising the leading position that the UAE enjoys at the regional and global levels.

Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashemy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai, attended the meeting.

The Museum of the Future is an iconic, cultural landmark and centre for future innovations that symbolises the futuristic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said Chairman of the Museum of the Future, Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, today.

During a media briefing with Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, and Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, Al Gergawi said, “As a passionate leader for the future, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid positioned Dubai and the UAE at the heart of new changes for the future. His keen vision accomplished unparalleled growth by capitalising on emerging opportunities and technologies. The vision of Mohammed bin Rashid was very clear since the establishment of Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City, the implementation of Smart Dubai 2021, the annual World Government Summit, and today, the Museum of the Future. It embodies his wise vision to establish a global edifice that brings together talents, great minds and innovators, and creates an intellectual movement from Dubai to the world.”

“He has paved the way for Dubai to unlock the collective impact of ideas, technologies and groundbreaking solutions and share this movement of futurism with the rest of the world.”

Al Gergawi added, “The ambitions of the Museum of the Future support the vision of the Emirate of Dubai and the UAE to provide a resilient and prosperous future for current and coming generations, by highlighting promising innovations and designing ideas and projects that will define the way forward.”

Image credit: Vogue Arabia

Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan the Crown prince of Abu Dhabi received the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai to deliberate several issues of the nation and its residents and citizens. 

Among the discussions between the two leaders were the ongoing plan of  ‘Projects of the 50’, a developmental and sustainable projects that aims to accelerate the development of the nation and transform it into a hub for all sectors and establish its standing as the model for global destinations for investors and skillful individuals. 

Their Highnesses stressed that the UAE citizens will remain the main objective of all development and social plans and programmes, and that the UAE government places at the forefront of its priorities ensuring continued decent life, social welfare and economic wellbeing for UAE nationals under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They prayed to Allah Almighty to bless His Highness Sheikh Khalifa with continued good health and wellness and perpetuates the country’s security, safety and prosperity.

Their highnesses emphasized that the UAE citizens will remain the main goal of all improvements, programs and social projects. At the end of the session, they prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the leaders fo their wise leadership and good health. 

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has urged motorists in the UAE to take all precautions and follow the traffic regulations due to the chance of fog formations.

In a statement tonight, NCM said horizontal visibility may drop even further over some western coastal and inland areas from 00:30 until 09:30, Friday, 11th February, 2022.

It will be a great night for Dubai on February 15 as the Grammy-award winning band Coldplay to perform in Al Wasl Plaza, EXPO 2020 Dubai’s Infinity Nights Series. . 

Coldplay’s concert will be live-streamed globally and Expo ticket holders can enjoy the performance for free.

But if you do not have an Expo ticket and you want to watch them live, here’s your chance to win a ticket. 

On Twitter, Coldplay announce free giveaways of 90 pairs of tickets to the concert. 

Dubai residents will have to visit the website and fill up their details to stand a chance to win tickets click here.

The band’s free event will benefit Expo’s Programme for People and Planet and is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The British company takes pride in its environmental commitment and responsibilities.

Coldplay is the latest in a long line of well-known singers to perform as part of the “Infinite Night” series, which has featured performances by worldwide and Arab celebrities such as the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Nancy Ajram, and Ragheb Alama.