THE British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) is closing 2025 with what it describes as its most active year yet in pushing legislative reforms, deepening UK–Philippine trade and expanding British investment in key economic zones. The chamber now aims to build on this momentum in 2026 by supporting further digital, trade and blue economy measures, while weighing in on policy moves affecting food security, including pork import quotas.
2025: Reform wins and trade gains
BCCP cites as core achievements its support for the passage of the EGovernance Act and the Open Access in Data Transmission Act, both intended to reduce red tape and improve digital connectivity across government and business. It has also welcomed amendments to the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease Act, which now allows leases of up to 99 years and, the group says, gives foreign locators greater certainty when competing with other Southeast Asian destinations.
On the trade front, the chamber helped stage a Philippine–UK investment forum in London with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), highlighting that the UK has emerged as one of PEZA’s leading foreign investors. There are now about 75 British companies in PEZA zones, representing roughly P45 billion in investments, more than US$1 billion in exports and close to 81,000 jobs, according to BCCP.
Food security and MAV policy
BCCP also underscores its role in promoting British pork and beef exports to help stabilize Philippine food prices and support food security, noting that the Philippines is now the secondlargest Asian market for UK pork after China. Since 2021, it has worked closely with the UK’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), mounting eight trade missions and fostering longterm supply partnerships with local importers, retailers and major chains such as Jollibee.
At a media briefing on Wednesday, December 10, BCCP Executive Director Chris Nelson said the country’s decadesold minimum access volume (MAV) for pork should be reviewed alongside population growth, with current quota levels at 54,000 metric tons compared to a population now nearing 120 million. He added that a proposed increase to 55,000 metric tons would have a limited impact, and that higher inquota volumes at the 15 percent tariff rate could help maintain stable, affordable supply while domestic herds recover from African swine fever.
2026: Deeper reforms and milestone diplomacy
For 2026, the chamber plans to continue pressing for passage of the Cybersecurity Act, wider adoption of digital payments in local governments and the proposed Blue Economy Act to unlock more value from the country’s maritime resources. It expects foreign direct investment from the UK to climb further on the back of its partnership with PEZA, the UK–Philippines Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) and Manila’s bid to join the CPTPP trade pact, which already includes the UK.
BCCP also intends to use the 80th anniversary of UK–Philippine diplomatic relations and its own 25th anniversary in 2026 as platforms to promote opportunities in infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture and digital trade, particularly as the Philippines assumes the ASEAN chairmanship.
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