In an interview, British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) Executive Vice Chairman Chris Nelson stressed that United Kingdom companies are still looking at the Philippines as a key gateway to Southeast Asia.

He added that potential trade arrangements would further assist, particularly, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or RCEP, the Philippines’ interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and its chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“We also know that the Philippines wants to join CPTPP, which the UK is already a member of. And we hope that the application will progress quickly and smoothly. Finally, of course, let’s not forget, the Philippines is now the chair of ASEAN. This is a great opportunity. We know some of those initial meetings would go online, but still, it can bring a lot of business here and focus,” Nelson said.

With the Philippines declaring a state of national energy emergency, the ASEAN preparatory meetings will also be delivered virtually to mitigate the impacts of the energy crisis brought about by the conflict in the Middle East.

Nelson also expressed support to Asean Business Advisory Council Chairman Joey Concepcion, Executive Director Patrick Chua and Council Member George Barcelon who joined the UK-Asean Business Forum on March 17 in London.

Nelson added that the UK is also a key partner for the region and welcomed the establishment of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee or JETCO with the Philippines and other ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.

Among the key areas of cooperation include the transition to clean energy and the development of offshore wind, infrastructure development through public and private partnerships and the £5 billion of financing from UK Export Finance, agricultural industry, and overall economic development.

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