The British Chamber is advocating for the passage of legislation and trade agreements that promote further liberalization of the Philippine market, making the country an investment destination.

Taking the cudgels for a resilient Philippine agricultural sector and fair-trade practices, UK businesses back the passage of Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act to help with inflation, food security and stabilizing food supply.

UK and the Philippines reached £2.9 billion in total trade in goods and services in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023. The chamber wishes for the extension of Executive Order No. 10 to sustain lowered tariffs.

"We want to see the extension of those lowered tariffs [as we've seen substantial growth in British pork, which also helps the Philippines with the inflation. We strongly support that view," said BCCP executive director Chris Nelson.

BCCP partnered with the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, conducting several events and missions that highlighted the meat industry in the country.

"This only shows that we're looking here to build long-term relations with the importers and support the Philippine market," Nelson said.

The United Kingdom is among the top three countries with the highest approved foreign direct investments in the Philippines at P3.06 billion.

"The British Chamber welcomes the Philippine government's policy initiatives in further liberalizing trade, paving the way in making the country a major UK's economic link in Southeast Asia- leading in innovation, research & development, sustainability, climate, and economic resilience," he said.

The chamber is collaborating with various stakeholders in liberalizing trade to boost British presence in the Philippines, promoting digitalization to improve the ease of doing business, boost economic growth through a competitive and sustainable market, supporting efficient trade regulatory practices that encourage UK-Philippines trade, and assisting UK SMEs.

"The relationship [of the UK and the Philippines] around exports is growing which demonstrates a robust and science-driven practices and preventive control measures in the agricultural sector," said British ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils.

"The Philippines is reassured in the UK's capability and leadership in maintaining confidence and trust in exports and imports along with the Philippine agricultural authorities through reduced tariffs, food security, and attaining a competitive market."