What We Do

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.