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.
Latest News
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.
A Partnership for Malaysia’s Future Finance Leaders - The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and IEG Campus
UKABC congratulates The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and IEG Campus (Intelli Education Group) on their strategic partnership, signed in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of George Freeman MP, the UK Trade Envoy to Malaysia. This collaboration enables IEG Campus students to access CISI programmes in financial services and ethical AI.
Michael Page’s Guide to Unlocking a SEA of Opportunities: Your Guide to Expansion in Vietnam
Michael Page’s Guide summarises key economic opportunities and growth sectors in Vietnam and summarises the reasons to invest in this dynamic Southeast Asian country.
Michael Page’s Guide to Unlocking a SEA of Opportunities: Your Guide to Expansion in Thailand
Michael Page’s Guide summarises key economic opportunities and growth sectors in Thailand. The Guide also covers trending inward investment sectors, the inward investment landscape, including the Eastern Economic Corridor and provides insights that will help your business navigate Thailand’s Talent Market.
UKABC Partner briefing with Naz Shah MP, UK Trade Envoy to Indonesia and ASEAN
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 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.
London meeting seals new ASEAN-BAC Malaysia and ACCA partnership for regional development
UKABC partner, The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia (ASEAN-BAC Malaysia) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in key areas, including policy advocacy, sustainability, and capacity building.
Joint Statement on UK-Malaysia Joint Economic and Trade Committee
On Thursday, 16 January, the UK and Malaysia held the inaugural ministerial-led Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting. The Joint Statement following the meeting between the UK Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, Douglas Alexander MP, and Malaysian Minister for Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, can be read here.
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.
UKABC’s Dialogue with Martin Kent, HMTC for Asia Pacific and an update on CPTPP’s Entry into Force from David Johnstone, Head of FTA Utilisation at the Department for Business and Trade
UKABC was delighted to host HMTC Martin Kent and David Johnstone from the Department for Business and Trade for a tour de force covering updates on ASEAN and the wider Asia Pacific region from both a bilateral and wider regional political and commercial perspective.
CPTPP Entry into Force - Guidance and Links
The Department for Business and Trade’s Free Trade Agreement Utilisation Team has created a series of guidance documents explaining the benefits of CPTPP and how companies can utilise the agreement, including guidance on proving rules of origin, accessing simpler customs, and benefiting from zero tariffs. There is also detailed information on different sectors and market opportunities, and the steps companies need to take to utilise the agreement.
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
