UKABC was delighted to welcome Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, back to the UK for a business dialogue and networking reception marking the 5th anniversary of the UK’s Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN.

ASEAN must be inclusive - not only working with big business, but especially for MSMEs and micro enterprises. This was the key message from Joey Concepcion III, ASEAN BAC Chair 2026, at the first Joint Business Council meeting for the year.

UK-ASEAN Business Council’s online dialogue on strengthening UK-ASEAN energy cooperation highlighted how the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) is moving from long-term vision to near-term execution, with opportunities for UK businesses across sectors.

Brunei Darussalam is advancing a carefully sequenced economic transformation - strengthening fiscal resilience, accelerating diversification, and pursuing a pragmatic energy transition aligned with long-term sustainability. As the country broadens its economic base beyond upstream hydrocarbons, there is a strong policy focus on downstream and value-added activities, alongside the development of new growth sectors, modern infrastructure, and future-ready human capital.

2025 has been a landmark year for the UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC), marked by strengthened trade relationships, deeper policy engagement, and a sustained programme of high-impact activity across the UK and Southeast Asia.

The UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC) extends thanks to all participants for their contributions to the success of the recent UK-ASEAN Business Forum. Held on Tuesday 26th March 2024, the event featured insightful discussions on key topics including digital transformation, infrastructure connectivity, green finance, economic integration, people mobility, and climate change resilience.