THE United Arab Emirates (UAE) targets to achieve a fivefold increase in trade and investments with the Philippines within three to five years once the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the free trade agreement between Manila and Abu Dhabi, enters into force.

Visiting Minister of State of Foreign Trade of the UAE, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, met with officials of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Friday to finalize the terms of reference (TOR) of the CEPA, which is the scoping stage of the free trade agreement (FTA).