Dubai International Chamber Opens Manila Office to Strengthen Dubai-Philippines Trade and Investment Relations
Dubai International Chamber has officially inaugurated a new international representative office in Manila, a significant move aimed at enhancing trade and investment relations between Dubai and the Philippines. The launch took place during a special event attended by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, highlighting the importance of this initiative.
Inauguration Event and Key Attendees
The inauguration event drew over 100 participants, including senior officials and prominent figures from the Filipino business community. Notable attendees included H.E. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers; H.E. Mohamed Obaid Salem Al Qatam Alzaabi, UAE Ambassador to the Philippines; and H.E. Ma. Anna Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, Special Envoy of the President of the Philippines to the UAE for Trade and Investments.
H.E. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah remarked that the Manila office reflects a commitment to bolstering economic ties between the two regions. He emphasized that the office would facilitate Filipino companies in exploring opportunities in Dubai, leveraging the emirate’s favorable business environment as a gateway for growth.
Growth in Bilateral Trade Relations
The establishment of the Manila office comes at a time of notable growth in bilateral business relations. In 2025, non-oil trade between Dubai and the Philippines reached AED 3.58 billion, marking a 17% increase from the previous year. By December 2025, 2,592 Filipino companies were registered as active members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, indicating a year-over-year growth of 23.3%. Additionally, 856 new Filipino companies joined the chamber in 2025, reflecting a 5.9% increase compared to 2024.
Previous Trade Missions and Collaborations
The launch builds on the outcomes of a trade mission organized by Dubai Chamber of Commerce in May 2025, which included representatives from 17 Dubai-based private sector companies and resulted in 180 bilateral business meetings. During this mission, the chamber hosted a forum titled “Doing Business with the Philippines,” attended by 314 participants. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to enhance cooperation and explore new areas for collaboration.
The momentum continued in January 2026, when First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos visited Dubai Chambers’ headquarters. This visit underscored the strong relationship between the two markets and provided a platform to discuss further deepening bilateral ties.
Role of the Manila Office
The Dubai International Chamber’s representative office in Manila aims to strengthen relationships with key public and private sector stakeholders in the Philippines. It will showcase Dubai’s competitive advantages as a leading global business destination and provide valuable market intelligence to assist Filipino companies in establishing a presence in Dubai.
Furthermore, the office will support Dubai-based companies looking to expand into the Philippines by offering market insights, identifying commercial and investment opportunities, and connecting them with trusted local partners for smooth market entry and operational success.
Dubai Global Initiative
The opening of the Manila office is part of the broader “Dubai Global” initiative, which aims to establish 50 representative offices worldwide by 2030. This initiative seeks to reinforce Dubai’s position as a leading global business hub by attracting foreign direct investment and supporting local companies in expanding into 30 priority markets around the globe.
Source: www.emirates247.com
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Published on 2026-04-15 11:38:00 • By the Editorial Desk
