PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Ma. Anna Kathryna Pimentel, wife of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, as Special Envoy to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Trade and Investment.
Marcos administered Mrs. Pimentel’s oath of office on Tuesday in Malacañang, accompanied by her husband and other family members.
After taking her oath, the new special envoy immediately reported for duty, joining the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in welcoming UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
In a press statement, Mrs. Pimentel said she is “profoundly honored by the trust and confidence” of the President.
Pimentel has been active in various international forums on investment and economic cooperation hosted by the UAE, including the World Government Summit in February 2024, United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2023 and Dubai Airshow and Dubai Watch Week in November 2023.
“With the upcoming 50th anniversary of our diplomatic ties this year, I hope to be able to contribute to the further strengthening of our relationship with the UAE as the President’s special envoy,” she said.
“There are many opportunities to deepen our ties with the UAE, most especially with the ongoing negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement that is expected to enhance bilateral economic relations, between the Philippines and UAE,” she added. (PNA)
