The British envoy to the Philippines reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to deepening economic ties, highlighting strong fundamentals and reform momentum driving growing confidence among UK investors.
Speaking before the Makati Business Club on Tuesday, Ambassador Sarah Hulton OBE said the Department for Business and Trade in Manila continues to support UK firms seeking to invest, expand, and create jobs in the Philippines alongside local partners.
She noted that the Philippine economy remains one of the region’s strongest performers, expanding by 4.4 percent last year despite global uncertainty, with outlooks continuing to suggest sustained outperformance across Southeast Asia.
The envoy emphasized that investor confidence is anchored on credible institutions, ongoing reforms, and efforts to improve governance, strengthen credit fundamentals, and support private sector-led infrastructure and clean energy development.
Bilateral trade and services between the UK and Philippines reached £3.2 billion in the four quarters to 2025, rising 8.9 percent year on year, underscoring steady expansion in economic engagement.
He also pointed to the UK-Philippines Joint Economic and Trade Committee as a key platform advancing cooperation in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, digital innovation, and broader economic development initiatives.
She added that UK companies are increasingly optimistic about Philippine opportunities, citing ongoing collaborations involving firms such as AstraZeneca and Tesla as examples of deepening private sector engagement.
Officials and business leaders said sustained reform efforts, improved regulatory clarity, and ongoing infrastructure modernization are expected to further strengthen bilateral economic ties, with both sides seeing opportunities in renewable energy, digital services, and manufacturing as the Philippines continues to position itself as a competitive investment destination in Southeast Asia over the medium term supported by stronger trade frameworks and expanding private sector partnerships across industries.
