UKABC and DBT Roundtable - UK’s Economic Workplan with ASEAN

Matthew Davies, Director, Asia Pacific at the Department for Business and Trade briefed UKABC partners on the new five-year ASEAN-UK Economic Work Plan.

The six priority sectors for the next plan are expected to be financial services, professional business services, regulatory reform, clean energy, skills and inclusion and digital and technology.

The discussion also highlighted the importance CPTPP and of aligning the new Economic Work Plan with wider regional developments — including the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, which will shape cross-border data flows and digital trade standards, and the ASEAN Power Grid, a flagship initiative underpinning regional energy connectivity and transition. With ASEAN's economic growth forecast and increasing interest from ASEAN Member States in CPTPP expansion, the avenues and opportunities for UK business are increasingly significant.

In this supportive remarks, Ian Gibbons OBE, CEO, UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC), highlighted the importance of collaboration to underpin the next chapter of UK–ASEAN economic cooperation.