ABU DHABI // Jejomar Binay, the vice president of the Philippines, last night said he hoped to woo investors for his country's considerable interest in developing clean and renewable energy.
"We want to maintain the excellent relations with the UAE," Mr Binay said last night. "We need investors in renewable energy."
He is in Abu Dhabi to represent Benigno Aquino, the president, at the World Future Energy Summit.
Mr Binay will also be attending the International Water Summit and the Zayed Future Energy Prize ceremony today.
The vice president said he hoped to convince renewable-energy developers to invest in the Philippines.
Mr Binay visited Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
"He acknowledged me and was very warm and cordial," Mr Binay said. "He was very impressed and gratified with the Filipinos. I told him of our strong co-ordination in our fight against human trafficking and illegal recruiters."
Mr Binay met members of the capital's Filipino community in his capacity as the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFW) concerns.
He told them about the government's measures to prevent illegal recruitment and said workers should go through legal channels to avoid becoming victims.
Mr Binay also spoke to Filipinas staying at the labour office shelter in Abu Dhabi, who had fled their employer's homes complaining of lack of food and sleep, maltreatment and not being paid.
"He encouraged the women to avail of skills training so they no longer have to work as housemaids," said Frank Cimafranca, the new consul general in Dubai.
The vice president told the women the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, or Tesda, centres in the Philippines would provide free training on their return.
This is Mr Binay's second official visit to the UAE after assuming the vice presidency in 2010.
His first was in March 2011 when he held talks on trade, investments and labour with UAE Government officials.
