The British Chamber concluded the year on a positive note and set its objectives for 2025, focusing on the passage of its priority measures, including the Cybersecurity Act, E-Governance Act, and Konektadong Pinoy Act. It also targets to further increase the trade figures between the two countries, with an all time-high of £2.9billion in total trade in goods and services.
BCCP Executive Director/Trustee Chris Nelson said that, “I would say based on my 10-year experience, as high as it’s been in the past. The Philippines has opportunities, but it has to articulate those… You’re competing against other countries. You have great strengths, but you’ve got to keep on pushing those strengths forward.”
The Chamber has actively worked with the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the Department of Agriculture, other concerned agencies and local market players and will continue in 2025. The Philippines remains the second largest market for UK pork exports after China with meat and meat preparations remain the second top UK goods export, amounting to £39.1 million.
The UK’s cybersecurity excellence serves as another area of cooperation which attracts British cybersecurity companies to assist in enhancing the cybersecurity skills and infrastructure of the Philippines. Further noting the passage of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act which enhances the financial sector against cybercrimes and aligns with the support towards the passage of the Cybersecurity Act to enhance the country’s cybersecurity posture.
Digital transformation remains one of the key priorities of the British Chamber and supports the passage of the E-Governance Act to support the current initiatives on improving the ease of doing business and reducing red tape, with the British Chamber officially becoming an ARTA Champion in May 2024. The Open Access in Data Transmission Act is also part of its objectives to enhance the Philippines’ internet infrastructure and build a competitive telecommunications sector. As previously noted by NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan that the bill is, “crucial to the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, as it will usher advancements across various sectors, including ICT, education, health, and agriculture.”
