By Marinel Peroy
United Kingdom Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils bares the impressive result of the £2.9 billion total in trade at the Philippine-British Meat Trade Mission Year-end Gathering on November 30, 2023.
Ambassador Beaufils expressed gratitude to everyone who attended the yearend gathering hosted by the British Chamber of the Philippines. for celebrating and promoting the British Embassy’s advocacies strengthening the UK-PH trade and the overall Philippine economic growth.
She also noted that while the first Philippine British Meat Trade Mission was first held last May 2022, together with the UK Agriculture and Horticultural Development Board and the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, this has paved the way to a continued partnership between the Philippines and the United Kingdom in widening the UK-Philippine bilateral trade relations.
The UK envoy underscored that the impressive trade result between the UK and the Philippines is an indication for exciting years for both countries. She also bared that meat is the third most exported UK commodity to the Philippines. At the same time, the Philippines is also the third largest export market for the UK next to European Union and China.
Corollary to this success, Beaufils expressed appreciation to all the exporters, importers, and providers of trade who attended for supporting UK industries, and reiterated that the UK will ensure that the Philippine food supply remains ample and ready to feel the appetite of the consumers.
The lady envoy expressed support for the British Chamber’s calls for the Philippine government to temporarily reduce rates including on British pork. She also welcomed the appointment of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. and looks forward to working with him.