This comes after the United Kingdom was recognized by PEZA as the leading investor in January 2025, citing a total of 89 British Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs) valued at a cumulative investment value of ₱34.036 billion, from 1995-2024 in the ecozone. PEZA has also identified investment opportunities in the following sectors such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and IT services.

In an interview, British Chamber of Commerce Philippines Executive Chairman Chris Nelson pointed the importance of this investment forum they are hosting. “The PEZA Forum is being hosted at HSBC’s office in Canary Wharf, and I know they are also looking to work with other people and other opportunities,” Nelson said.

HSBC has recently celebrated its 150th year anniversary of its presence in the Philippines, demonstrating the longstanding ties between the UK and the Philippines as well as the growing investment and trade opportunities. During the celebration, CEO and head of Banking at HSBC Philippines Sandeep Uppal said that, “We continue to have a meaningful and very beneficial partnership with the British government as we support the growth of the Philippine economy and play our part in nation-building…”

Foreign direct investments net inflows was reported to reach $529 million in February 2025, marking a 61.9% dip from the same period last year due to global uncertainties brought by the shifting tariff and economic policies of the United States, according to analysts. Meanwhile, Nelson also expressed support for the Philippines’ upcoming application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to further expand its trade partners and mitigate negative impacts to the economy.

Despite this, the Philippines are poised to benefit by expanding its trade partners and market diversification, alongside economic reforms and incentives. PEZA Director General Tereso Panga has previously said that, “Our exporters located in the PEZA economic zones will greatly benefit from the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) which is set to be introduced by the UK in June of this year. More tax incentives from PEZA’s end will strengthen the posture of our exporting companies focused on the UK and EU markets.”

The British Chamber remains committed to working with the Philippines and the UK government to further strengthen the growing bilateral trade which now stands at £3 billion in total trade in goods and services. Nelson added that, ”the Philippines is not operating in isolation. You’re competing against other countries in Southeast Asia, and therefore, we have to keep pushing forward. One of our mantras the British Chamber is, please come and invest in the Philippines. It’s a very important market.“