By Marinel E. Peroy
The United Kingdom formally relaunched its enhanced Growth and Investment Partnership Plus (GIP+) with the Philippines on February 23, signaling a shift from policy planning to concrete project delivery across clean energy, infrastructure, and climate resilience.
The relaunch, held at a reception hosted by the British Embassy in Manila, coincided with UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra’s first official visit to the Philippines and the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“For eight decades, the UK and the Philippines have been close and reliable partners, united by shared values, close economic ties, and a commitment to a stable, prosperous Indo Pacific, a region which will shape more than half of global growth by 2050,” Minister Malhotra said.
The renewed partnership aims to mobilize public and private capital, technical expertise, and regulatory support to accelerate investments in clean energy, clean water, transport infrastructure, and capital markets reform. It also seeks to unlock private capital flows and strengthen regulatory frameworks, including support for transformational infrastructure initiatives such as the Luzon Economic Corridor.
Malhotra emphasized that deepening bilateral cooperation comes at a critical time.
“Today, we celebrate our enduring friendship with the Philippines as we look this week to how we can take our partnership to the next level, underpinned by shared purpose and our strong and thriving people-to-people links,” she added.
She said this is why GIP+ will be a next chapter is rooted in action. When the Philippines signaled its intention to open its economy and attract greater investment, the UK moved quickly to support that vision.
The UK’s engagement has expanded across sectors — from greener transport and sustainable finance to climate resilience programs that translate policy alignment into tangible outcomes. According to Malhotra, UK-backed cooperation has already produced measurable results.
“Working together has helped the Philippines write its first national plan for dealing with climate impacts and set up a platform to bring in $250 million for farming to provide greater resilience with a changing climate,” she said.
Calling the relaunch a defining moment, Malhotra stressed the urgency of moving forward, she said, “this is the moment to turn plans into action and plans into results.”
Looking ahead, she framed GIP+ as a long-term strategic investment.
“As we look to the next 80 years of bilateral relations, the choices and the investments we make today will be the foundation on which future generations will build, ensuring a better future for our people and a more sustainable and secure world,” she said.