By Monsi A. Serrano
With the Philippines as the 2nd largest pork export market of the United Kingdom in Asia next to China, the UK-Phl bilateral trade continues to rise and is currently at its highest level at £2.8 billion, according to Alistair White British Embassy Manila Deputy Head of Mission.
Speaking at the Philippine-British Meat Trade Briefing & Reception on July 30, 2024, Mr. White also bared that one of the contributing factors is the UK meat exports which is the fourth most exported commodity to the Philippines from the UK. The Philippines is also the UK’s third largest pork export market, after the European Union and China.
Organized by the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) in partnership with the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, the event was intended to further increase the growing trade relations between the UK and the Philippines, particularly on pork.
Industry stakeholders from the government, private sector, and the delegation from the AHDB joined the event.
Speakers included British Embassy Manila Deputy Head of Mission Alistair White, UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Agricultural Attaché Rickie Jennings, Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Deputy Commissioner Michael Fermin, CEI Cargo OPC CEO Dee Ledonio, Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) President Emeritus Jess Cham, Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) Foreign Affairs and Special Concerns Consultant Jet Ambalada, AHDB Head of International Trade Development Jonathan Eckley and International Trade Development Manager Richard Gibson as moderated by the TradeAdvisors CEO Atty. Anthony Abad.
As AHDB joins World Food Expo (WOFEX) 2024, it reinforces the presence of British pork and beef imports as well as its relationship with Philippine importers and distributors to contribute to the growing meat trade between the two countries–making the Philippines as the 2nd largest UK pork export market in Asia, next to China.
Eckley in his introductory remarks noted that, “Across the livestock sectors in the UK, part of our work is collaborating with stakeholders in the supply chain on international issues. It’s exciting that the UK is presented this year with several of our exporters here…We’ve had great success over the years with beef and pork exports in the Philippines, thanks to the relationships we have with our exporters and distributors here.”
Representing Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is Usec. Savellano and delivered a keynote message reaffirming that the Department of Agriculture remains committed to supporting initiatives that would enhance the country’s agricultural trade and contribute to the overall development of agri-business sector.
Usec. Savellano also commended the British Chamber of Commerce for organizing this event and its unwavering support in strengthening UK-PH trade relations and he said, “Together, we can achieve great strides in ensuring food security, easing inflation, and fostering economic growth.”
Meanwhile, British Chamber of Commerce Philippines Executive Director/Trustee Chris Nelson who is currently in the United Kingdom continues to find opportunities for collaboration and trade with the Philippines given the overwhelming trust and confidence in investment-friendly economic policies of the Philippines.
Speaking to THEPHLBIZNEWS, Nelson commends the current administration’s key priorities and reiterates the commitment of the British Chamber to work closely with the government, find opportunities for collaboration to bolster economic growth in the Philippines by strengthening the country’s trade relations, find partners in the UK for Philippine local companies, among others.
Having been at the forefront in advocating for economic reforms that would draw more foreign investors from all over the world, BritCham consistently bats for the quick passage of various legislation that would pave the way to further develop investors’ confidence in the country.
According to Nelson, the strong commitment of the current administration to accelerate economic growth is very evident such as the Signing of Anti-Financial Account Scamming Law, and he remains hopeful that other important legislation such as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which aims to safeguard the local market and consumers against smugglers, profiteers, and cartels and other much-needed legislation will be realized soon.
On the ongoing UK-Philippines bilateral trade relations, Nelson said, “The AHDB has been our trusted partner in terms of reinforcing the UK-Philippine meat trade particularly on pork. We have also been working closely with the British Embassy and the Department of Agriculture to sustain that growth, while also mitigating the challenges on food security and inflation.”