Manila, Aug. 19 -- The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) highly anticipated trade deal called the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is being eyed for signing in the "coming weeks," the UAE Embassy in Manila said Tuesday.

"The signing of the CEPA, expected in the coming weeks, will further boost trade and investment," UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Alqataam Alzaabi disclosed in his message on the 51st anniversary of the UAE-Philippine relations.

CEPA covers areas of goods and services, investments, small and medium enterprises, digitalization, customs, governance, and sustainability, among others.

Once signed, the CEPA would be the Philippines' first free trade agreement in the Middle East.

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