Dubai, UAE – The Dubai World Chamber, one of three chambers operating under the umbrella of the Dubai Chambers, has opened a new representative office in the Philippine capital, Manila. With the aim of strengthening trade and investment relations between Dubai and the Republic of the Philippines.
The office was inaugurated during a special ceremony held in Manila in the presence of the First Lady of the Republic of the Philippines, Louise Araneta Marcos. His Excellency Mohammed Ali Rashid Lootah, Director General of Dubai Chambers, and His Excellency Mohammed Obaid Al Qatam Al Zaabi, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of the Philippines. Her Excellency Anna Katrina U. Pimentel, Special Envoy of the President of the Philippines to the UAE for Trade and Investment Affairs, with the participation of more than 100 participating officials and representatives of the Philippine business community.
Significant growth in intra-trade
The opening of the office comes in light of the remarkable growth witnessed in intra-trade relations. The value of non-oil trade between Dubai and the Philippines reached AED 3.58 billion in 2025, a 17% growth compared to 2024. Meanwhile, 856 new Filipino companies joined the Dubai Chamber of Commerce last year, with an annual growth of 5.9%. This brings the total number of active Philippine companies registered as members of the Chamber by the end of 2025 to 2,592 companies, an annual growth of 23.3%.
The Dubai Chamber of Commerce organized a trade mission to the Philippines in May 2025. With the participation of representatives from 17 Dubai-based companies, which resulted in more than 180 bilateral working meetings.
Memorandum of Understanding
During the mission, the Chamber also organized the “Doing Business with the Philippines” business forum in Manila, attended by 314 participants. It also concluded a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to enhance cooperation and joint work. Improving bilateral trade relations and exploring new horizons for cooperation between the business communities in Dubai and the Philippines.
During January of this year, the Dubai Chambers received at their headquarters the First Lady of the Republic of the Philippines, Louise Araneta Marcos. This aims to explore strengthening bilateral relations, developing joint work, and exploring promising cooperation opportunities between Dubai and the Philippines in various business sectors.
The new representative office will play a vital role in supporting companies in both Dubai and the Philippines, working closely with the Philippine business community. To strengthen relationships with key stakeholders in the public and private sectors. As well as promoting Dubai’s competitive advantages as a global business destination. The office will also provide valuable information about the Dubai market to support Philippine companies seeking to establish their presence in the emirate and expand from there to global markets.
The office will support Dubai-based companies to expand to the Philippines. This includes providing it with valuable insights into the Philippine market, and helping it identify possible trade and investment opportunities. Linking these companies with trusted local partners to facilitate their entry into this market and expand their operations there with confidence and smoothness.
