Powering UK–ASEAN Growth: UKABC’s 2025 Impact
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.
Throughout the year, UKABC has delivered real and tangible value for its growing membership by facilitating access to senior decision-makers, advancing business priorities and reinforcing the UK’s position as a long-term economic partner to ASEAN.
Connecting, Convening and Collaborating: Strategic Dialogues
UKABC’s flagship UK–ASEAN Business Forum 2025, held in London, convened senior representatives from government, ASEAN institutions and the private sector to advance practical dialogue on global geo-political headwinds, digital trade, financial and professional services, infrastructure development and sustainable growth. Our Forum, delivered in partnership with HSBC, continues to serve as a key platform for shaping the UK–ASEAN economic agenda and enabling meaningful engagement between policymakers and business leaders.
In parallel, UKABC hosted a series of high-level roundtables and strategic dialogues throughout the year, engaging Southeast Asian ministers, Ambassadors and industry leaders across priority sectors. These platforms provided members with direct access to policymakers and valuable insight into regional economic priorities and policy developments. Notable UK hosted highlights included a seminar with senior Malaysia Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz and delegation; a roundtable with the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Matt Western MP and dialogues with UK Heads of Mission to Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand and separately the Executive Director of ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) on the ASEAN Power Grid.
On-the-Ground Engagement Across ASEAN
UKABC further deepened our strong regional presence in 2025 through targeted, senior-level engagement across ASEAN markets:
Kuala Lumpur
UKABC led senior UK business delegations to the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting, the ASEAN Business and Investment Forum (ABIS) and provided business input in support of UK Government participation at the ASEAN Energy & Business Forum. Our programme at ABIS gave our members an unrivalled platform to access senior business and government leaders from across SE Asia.
This engagement positioned UK companies at the centre of discussions on investment, sustainability and regional competitiveness, while strengthening relationships with ASEAN counterparts.
Jakarta
In October, UKABC met with DSG ASEAN Satvinder Singh at the ASEAN Secretariat, as part of a delegation led by Lord Vaizey, alongside the Lord Mayor of London. These discussions reinforced structured business engagement with ASEAN institutions and advanced UK private sector interests at a regional level.
Philippines
UKABC engaged with Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go and Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Roque, alongside meetings with senior executives from Ayala Group. These engagements provided UKABC members with valuable market insight, visibility and exposure to commercial opportunities in the Philippines.
Across every ASEAN market visited during the year, UKABC worked closely with UK Mission to ASEAN and DBT British Embassy teams, ensuring alignment between UK government objectives and business priorities, and supporting effective market access for members.
Looking Ahead
With the Philippines assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship next year, UKABC is preparing an ambitious programme of engagements and activities. These initiatives will offer members new opportunities to contribute to policy dialogue, strengthen commercial partnerships and shape the future of the UK–ASEAN economic relationship during 2026 – a landmark year which will see the UK celebrate its 5th anniversary as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner and look forward to the next stage in this relationship
UKABC looks forward to building on the momentum of 2025 and continuing to support its members in navigating and capitalising on opportunities across ASEAN.