The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines conducted a visit to the Philippine Embassy in London to discuss plans on further boosting bilateral trade between the UK and the Philippines–noting the current all-time high record of £2.8 billion in total trade in goods and services.
BCCP Executive Director/Trustee Chris Nelson met with the Philippine Embassy London Third Secretary and Vice Consul Bea Martinez and Kristine Nobleza of the Philippine Trade and Investment Centre London. Nelson identified the British Chamber’s priorities aligned with assisting UK companies to boost British investments through the ease of doing business, digitalization, and promoting public-private partnerships.
Recent efforts of the British Chamber involved officially signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) last 10 May 2024. Joining the roster of ARTA Champions–with other business associations and foreign chambers in the country, this aims to assist and raise awareness on red tape to facilitate a more conducive business environment for local and foreign companies through the ease of doing business initiatives of ARTA.
“The British Chamber will continue to push for these developments aligned with our goal in further increasing the UK-PH trade. Along with the overall drive to keep on opening up the Philippine economy and make it as competitive with others in Southeast Asia,” Nelson stated in an interview.
In its recent event titled, ‘Travel Talk 2024: Trailblazing the Future of Travel’ last 16 May 2024, the British Chamber also welcomed investment opportunities within the travel and tourism sectors cited by Hon. Secretary Jaime Bautista of the Department of Transportation and Undersecretary Atty. Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan of the Department of Tourism. Both officials highlighted the key strategies and post-pandemic efforts of the Marcos administration including: infrastructure development, digitalization, and enhancing the overall tourist experience. In 2023, the United Kingdom contributed to the 11% surge in tourist arrivals in the Philippines.
The British Chamber remains committed to further enhancing the growing economic ties between the UK and the Philippines and continues to represent the British business community in the country. This continues to reinforce the country as an investment destination and a gateway to the Southeast Asian region.
