Economy

Abu Dhabi Fund Eyes Big Investments in PH: UAE-Philippines Partnership Heats Up After Marcos Visit

Tabloid PH Newsdesk

Feb 21, 2026 — 1 min read

Photo: Gulf News

The Philippines is catching the attention of Middle Eastern money. Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver recently sat down with Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), to discuss how the oil-rich nation can help fund major development projects in the Philippines. The meeting signals a deepening economic partnership between the two countries.

The talks come on the heels of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s state visit to the UAE on January 12-14, 2026, which produced several key agreements including a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This strategic free-trade deal aims to eliminate or reduce tariffs on goods, encourage bilateral investment, and make it easier for businesses in both countries to trade with each other.

Ambassador Ver told Gulf News that the embassy sees the engagement with ADFD as "another avenue for economic cooperation and collaboration" following the signing of the CEPA. The ADFD, a government-owned development institution, extends concessional loans to finance infrastructure projects across key sectors such as roads, transport, water, electricity, and clean energy.

For the millions of Overseas Filipino Workers in the UAE — one of the largest OFW populations in the world — stronger economic ties between the two countries could mean better labor protections, more business opportunities, and a more stable bilateral relationship. The UAE has long been a top destination for Filipino workers in healthcare, construction, hospitality, and domestic work.

The ADFD has already expressed readiness to back priority Philippine projects, though specific details haven't been disclosed yet. With the Philippines eager for foreign investment to fund its ambitious infrastructure program, Abu Dhabi's deep pockets could be exactly what Manila needs to fast-track development — from roads and bridges to renewable energy projects.

Source: Gulf News

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