The UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC) is an independent partner to UK and Southeast Asian governments and the ASEAN Secretariat, linking the UK private sector, the UK government and the public and private sectors of ASEAN, facilitating dialogue on policy and shared global challenges to grow two-way trade and investment between the UK and ASEAN.
ASEAN is collectively equivalent to the fifth largest economy in the world (source: IMF World Economic Outlook October 2024) with projections indicating that ASEAN will become the fourth largest economy by 2030. This progress is powered by strong GDP growth, an expanding middle class, rapid adoption of cutting-edge technology, and a population set to reach 800 million by 2045. Underpinning this economic growth, ASEAN’s digital economy is on track to exceed $2 trillion by 2030, driven by its youthful, increasingly skilled, and digitally-savvy population and the implementation of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement. As global geopolitical shifts realign supply chains, ASEAN has also emerged as a strategic and neutral hub for global trade.
The UK-ASEAN Business Council is perfectly positioned to be your partner as you seek to take advantage of this growing ASEAN opportunity. As a formal member of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council’s Joint Business Council, the UKABC is an active partner in key issues facing the region and is the official representative of UK business in the annual ASEAN Economic Ministers – UK Consultative Meeting. Click here to watch Rino Donosepoetro, Board Director UKABC, outline UKABC’s three key messages presented at the 2024 ASEAN Economic Ministers meeting.
Through its network and strength of partnerships, UKABC facilitates an exclusive programme in Southeast Asia and the UK. This includes the hosting of roundtables for senior ASEAN visitors including the Secretary-General of ASEAN in London and an annual UK-ASEAN Business Forum with ASEAN and UK Ministers. This deep relationship with business also enables UKABC to lead a business delegation to the annual ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.
Our growing membership includes leading UK corporates and SMEs who are actively benefitting from the introductions and our UK and ASEAN programmes. Click here to view our current members and here to find out more about our membership offer.
Upcoming events
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5th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) — UK Consultation
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 24th September 2025
UKABC Members-only
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26th Joint Business Council Meeting (JBC)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: w/c 22 September 2025
UKABC Members-only
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ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 25-26 October 2025
UKABC Members-only
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UKABC Business and Government Engagements in Manila, Philippines
Manila, Philippines
Date: w/c 27 October 2025
UKABC Members-only
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UKABC Business and Government Engagements in Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia
Date: w/c 27 October 2025
UKABC Members-only
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UKABC End-of-year Reception
London, United Kingdom
Date: December
Registrations are required
Latest News
ACCA’s Sustainability Reporting in ASEAN: An overview of current developments
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has launched a new regional report titled Sustainability Reporting in ASEAN: An overview of current developments, offering insights and recommendations to guide the region’s transition to globally aligned, decision-useful sustainability disclosures.
Op-Ed from UKABC Chair, Lord Vaizey of Didcot, featured in ‘Investing in ASEAN 2025|2026’ Publication
As featured in the newly released Investing in ASEAN 2025|2026 publication, UKABC Chair, The Rt Hon. the Lord Vaizey of Didcot, shares his perspective on the UK’s growing strategic partnership with ASEAN. In his op-ed, Lord Vaizey outlines the economic opportunities for UK businesses across the region and highlights the significance of deepening digital, trade, and sustainability cooperation.
UKABC Roundtable with Matt Western MP, UK Trade Envoy to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, 4 June 2025. Hosted by Page Group.
The UK-ASEAN Business Council was delighted to host Matt Western MP, UK Trade Envoy to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, on 4 June for an exclusive UKABC partner briefing. This was the second in our series of dialogues with UK Trade Envoys following our initial session with Naz Shah MP.
UKABC Dialogue with the Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)
UKABC Partners participated in a roundtable discussion, hosted by BP plc, with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), focusing on the ASEAN Power Grid and strategies to achieve Carbon Neutrality across the region.
UKABC’s Flagship Success: UK-ASEAN Business Forum 2025
Over 120 senior industry and government figures from across ASEAN and the UK gathered in person for the UK-ASEAN Business Forum 2025 – UKABC’s annual flagship event in support of UK-ASEAN bilateral trade, investment, and government engagement.
UKABC hosts business roundtable for The Honourable Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Minister of Investment of Malaysia
UKABC Chief Executive Ian Gibbons OBE was delighted to host the UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC) roundtable for The Honourable Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, on Friday in London. This roundtable, delivered in partnership with Standard Chartered Malaysia and the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC), followed hard on the heels of the highly productive roundtable with captains of industry hosted by Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim and the first UK-Malaysia Joint Economic and Trade Committee meeting on Thursday, 16 January.
UKABC Chair and CEO meet Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia
UKABC Chair Lord Vaizey and Chief Executive Ian Gibbons OBE joined senior UK business leaders for a ‘Captains of Industry’ roundtable hosted during the visit of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia to the UK.
Recent Event Highlights
Through its network and strength of partnerships, UKABC facilitates the hosting of roundtables for senior ASEAN visitors including the Secretary-General of ASEAN in London and an annual UK-ASEAN Business Forum with ASEAN and UK Ministers. This deep relationship with business also enables UKABC to lead a business delegation to the annual ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.
Upcoming Events
