UKABC Exclusive Partner Dialogue with the UK Ambassador to ASEAN and Country Director for the Philippines

UKABC hosted an online roundtable on 7 September, giving Partners the opportunity to discuss developments in the Philippines and across ASEAN with senior UK government representatives based in the region.

H.E. Helen Fazey, UK Ambassador to ASEAN and Harry Rawicz-Szczerbo, Country Director for the Philippines at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade shared their perspectives with more than 30 business and government participants on the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship, priorities ahead of the ASEAN Summit in November and implementation of the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action for 2027–2031.

In her remarks, the UK Ambassador to ASEAN confirmed that the UK–ASEAN relationship continues to deepen, with strong regional appreciation for progress made during the UK’s five years as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner. The Ambassador reinforced the UK government commitment to continuity in the relationship and recognised ASEAN’s importance for UK and regional growth, security, climate action and health cooperation.

Importantly the Ambassador confirmed that a new ASEAN–UK Plan of Action for 2027–31 has been agreed. This will take effect in January and builds on lessons from the first five-year plan. This plan, which is published here, will build on UK collaboration across Economic priorities including Regulatory reform; Implementation of the ASEAN digital economy agreement, including digital payment; Energy transition and interconnected regional power grids; Creative industries; Open and fair markets; Financial services, science, technology and innovation.

Harry Rawicz-Szczerbo, Country Director for the Philippines at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade confirmed that UK–Philippines trade has grown substantially, rising from under £1 billion in 2006 to more than £3.2 billion today with key growth drivers including healthcare, agriculture, energy and infrastructure. It was noted that September’s Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) would address trade policy and priority sectors. Long-term prospects were also positive, driven by domestic consumption, services, business performance, an English-speaking workforce and strong skills. This fed through to major opportunities for UK businesses in infrastructure, energy and technology, with projects such as the Luzon Economic Corridor expected to create demand.

During a wide-ranging Q&A UKABC Partners had the opportunity to raise their own commercial priorities relating to their business interests in the Philippines and across ASEAN.

Thank you to H.E. Helen Fazey, UK Ambassador to ASEAN and Harry Rawicz-Szczerbo, Country Director for the Philippines at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade for sharing their detailed insight.

UKABC, in partnership with our members, looks forward to supporting the implementation of the ASEAN–UK Plan of Action for 2027–31 and leading a business delegation to Manila for the ASEAN Economic Ministers meeting (21-22 September) and ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (14-15 November).