In photo, Chris Nelson, Executive Director, and Trustee of the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines during the successful first leg of the Philippine-British Meat Trade Mission held last May 2022 (Photo from THEPHILBIZNEWS/Mau Victa)
By Alithea De Jesus
Amidst the rising prices of food and other agri products, not to mention the issue on the supply chain, British Chamber of Commerce Philippines eyes another round of Philippine-British Meat Trade Mission which is scheduled in December 2022.
In the statement sent to THEPHILBIZNEWS by BritCham Philippines, Chris Nelson, Executive Director, and Trustee of the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) revealed the second British meat trade mission is already in the pipelline.
Last May 17-19, the Chamber hosted a three-day Trade Mission focusing on promoting British meat which successfully brought eight (8) UK companies to the Philippines. The recent UK pork exports to the Philippines have risen 46%, making the country one of the UK’s meat key markets, next to China, Nelson said.
Following this initiative, the Chamber planned a follow-up event in December. The Chamber aims to sustain the momentum of great interest built from the May activity. Considering the continued high inflation mainly driven by the rapid increase in food prices, Nelson recognises the entry of UK meat imports would help contribute ease the inflationary pressure short-term.
During the interview, Nelson also highlighted the Philippines as a gateway to Southeast Asia. In relation to this, the British Chamber strongly advocates for the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). In a recent report, both the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) back ratification of the trading bloc.
Overall, the Chamber will continue to support president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s pledge to make the Philippines an investment destination. At the same time, the newly amended trade liberalization laws such as the Retail Trade Liberalisation Act (RTLA), the Foreign Investment Act (FIA) and Public Service Act (PSA), are “already attracting new UK investments.”
The Chamber will continue to host events and activities designed to attract more UK companies to do business in the Philippines.
