BCCP highlights PH as an investment hub for UK businesses
TO further emphasize the growing United Kingdom (UK)-Philippines (PH) trade relations, the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) hosted a webinar, titled “Forecasting 2024: UK-PH economic perspectives” under its Trade and Connect series, targeted to promote the Philippines as an investment destination to UK businesses.
The event was moderated by BCCP Executive Director and Trustee Chris Nelson. Speakers included UK Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils, Director General of the Anti-Red Tape Authority Secretary Ernesto Perez, Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary for International Trade Policy Group Allan Gepty, and Reyes Tacandong and Co. Senior Adviser Jonathan Ravelas. A welcoming video message was also delivered by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Romualdez emphasized: “Our strategic precision as the gateway to the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) [region], coupled with young, educated and highly skilled workforce, makes us the ideal hub for innovation and growth.”
He added: “The British Investment Partnerships commitment to green infrastructure, along with significant private investments in biomass and partnerships with the Philippine Stock Exchange, underscore the ripe opportunities that await.”
Meanwhile, Gepty and Perez both discussed the key priorities of the government in terms of boosting foreign investments in the country through reforms and initiatives, including free trade agreements, green lanes for strategic investments, ease of paying taxes and other international engagements. Additionally, Ambassador Beaufils introduced the potential establishment of the Joint Trade and Economic Committee to which the Philippines expressed interest in joining last year.