In a significant diplomatic engagement, Philippine First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos conducted a high-level meeting with Dubai Chambers leadership on January 11, 2026, to explore enhanced economic collaboration between the two regions. The delegation, led by Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, and President/CEO Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, presented Dubai’s strategic advantages as a global business hub.
The comprehensive presentation detailed Dubai’s exceptional infrastructure, strategic geographical positioning, and pro-business regulatory environment designed to facilitate international trade. Both parties identified multiple sectors with substantial potential for mutual economic cooperation, building upon already robust bilateral relations.
Current trade metrics demonstrate flourishing economic ties, with non-oil bilateral trade reaching AED 3.1 billion in 2024. The partnership has seen remarkable growth, with 653 Philippine companies joining Dubai Chamber of Commerce in just the first three quarters of 2025, bringing total active Philippine member companies to 2,508 by September 2025.
This visit builds upon previously established cooperation frameworks, including a successful trade mission to Manila featuring 17 Dubai-based companies across diverse sectors. The earlier mission facilitated 180 bilateral business meetings and culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Dubai Chamber of Commerce and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The agreement established formal mechanisms for continued commercial collaboration and knowledge exchange between the business communities of both nations.