UK, Philippines deepen tech ties at UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week in Manila

The UK Government and the Philippines moved to deepen their technology partnership as the UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week returned to Manila this week, bringing together companies, policymakers, and investors from both countries.

The two-day event, held on 9 and 10 February, gathered a delegation of 10 UK companies specializing in artificial intelligence, data centers, and cybersecurity to explore collaboration opportunities with Philippine stakeholders.

The opening was attended by Sarah Hulton, British ambassador to the Philippines; Renato Solidum Jr., secretary of the Department of Science and Technology; and Rhiannon Harris, deputy trade commissioner for Southeast Asia at the UK Department for Business and Trade.

As part of the event, the UK launched the ASEAN UK TradeTech Lookbook, a resource designed to help governments and companies across Southeast Asia understand how British technology can support the region’s digital trade and integration agenda.

The British Embassy Manila also announced a strategic partnership with the AI and Analytics Association of the Philippines, aimed at promoting responsible, inclusive, and trustworthy adoption of artificial intelligence and analytics.

“Southeast Asia has a bold vision for a digital and data-driven economy, and the UK is well-placed to support this. The 10 UK companies participating in this year’s Tech Week represent our US$1.2 trillion technology sector – they provide the compute, insight, and security needed to support the region’s digital ambitions. We are excited to work more closely with the Philippines as ASEAN Chair in the UK’s 5th year of being Dialogue Partner,” Harris said.

Hulton said the event underscored the importance of practical collaboration between the UK and Southeast Asia.

“UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week puts practical collaboration at the centre, linking the region’s priorities in digital innovation and financial services with proven UK expertise. Here in the Philippines, the growing footprint of UK tech firms, from digital identity to cybersecurity capability, shows how partnerships deliver outcomes that strengthen both our country’s digital economies. We look forward to working closer together especially as we celebrate 80 years of UK-Philippines diplomatic relations and the UK’s 5th year as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner,” she said.

Several UK firms, including Arup, iProov, and Union Digital Bank, showcased innovations in areas such as cybersecurity and digital twin technology during the event.

Panel discussions on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity highlighted emerging threats, regulatory challenges, and the need for cross-border cooperation to manage risks in an increasingly digital economy.

In her keynote address, Minette Navarrete, managing partner and president of Kickstart Ventures, emphasized the role of partnerships in navigating global uncertainty.

"The antidote to an increasingly VUCA and BANI (brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible) world is partnerships that are BRAVE–Borderless, Relational, Adaptable, Values-aligned, and deeply rooted in strong Ecosystems," Navarrete said.

The UK and the Philippines already have ongoing collaborations in technology and digital innovation, including partnerships involving iProov and UnionDigital Bank, cybersecurity firm CyberQ Group, fintech companies Wise and Revolut, and a satellite development project between the Philippine Space Agency and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.

The UK delegation and partners involved in Tech Week collectively employ more than 30,000 people worldwide and have a combined valuation exceeding £100 billion, led by firms such as Arm, Revolut, and Darktrace.