The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) hosted its first UK Trade Delegation, as part of delivering practical services to help UK companies explore investment opportunities in the Philippines. The Trade Mission took place during 17-20 November, and has been described as a successful mission in connecting senior UK business leaders with Philippine businesses and Government officials.
PBBC London Co-Chairman Nigel Rich and former UKTI Director Eamonn Staunton led the Mission from the UK, which consisted of six British companies. Some highlights of the visit included high-level meetings with BCCP Platinum member HSBC, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Industry (PCCI), PBBC Philippine Chairman, Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting, in addition to government meetings with DTI, PEZA and the Trade Committee at the House of Representatives.
In a dialogue with DTI, Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal said that the UK is an important trading partner for the Philippines.
"We welcomed almost 38 UK Trade Missions in the past two years. The UK is now the Philippines' 12th largest source of investment," Undersecretary Cristobal added.
PEZA Director General Dr. Lilia B. De Lima, encouraged the Trade Mission delegates to continue doing business in the Philippines. De Lima presented the different business opportunities catered by the 308 economic zones in the country for a wide range of sectors such as industrial and export processing, information technology, tourism, and agriculture.
Director General Lilia De Lima of PEZA with the delegates
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. of the House of Representatives also welcomed the delegates in a courtesy visit attended by some legislators handling the economic affairs and trade committees of the Congress.
This Trade Mission is the first UK mission organised by the British Chamber's British Business Centre, a project funded by the UK government to help UK SMEs expand their business in emerging markets like the Philippines.
“We were delighted to organise the Trade Mission of PBBC as part of our commitment to support UK SMEs to export to the Philippines,” British Chamber of Commerce Philippines’ (BCCP) General Manager, Chris Boughton said.
