MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES – On Friday, 19 May 2023, the Philippines and the UK held their 4^th round of bilateral Economic Dialogue chaired by Philippine Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo and His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils.

The Philippines and the UK signed a Partnership Statement on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation, which include the following commitments:  

• Grow bilateral trade, including through jointly promoting the Development Countries Trading Scheme, and continue to address market access concerns to promote a level playing field;
• Drive investment opportunities, including through the British Investment Partnerships, which can help mobilise private and public finance as well as technical expertise to support sustainable infrastructure development; and 
• Promote an enabling business environment through ease of doing business, regulatory excellence and digitalisation.

Ambassador Beaufils said, “The bilateral trade between the UK and the Philippines is the highest it has ever been – and it continues to grow alongside British investment and economic cooperation. This year we will launch the Developing Country Trading Scheme to further boost bilateral trade between our two countries. We are excited about the next chapter of our economic cooperation, including our support to the promotion of the ease of doing business and digitalisation, and through our British Investment Partnerships, which will boost investments into green infrastructure development.” 

Undersecretary Rodolfo added, “We thank the UK Government for the partnership and collaboration over the years. The DCTS and BIP are solid frameworks that will ensure our economic relations will remain still strong as ever. The Philippines will continue to work with the UK government to realize concrete opportunities and foster more synergies in areas of mutual interest—in trade, investment, renewable energy, to name a few.”

The Philippines – UK Economic Dialogue remains the countries’ primary vehicle through which to grow economic and trade linkages and share expertise under the Philippines-UK Enhanced Partnership.

A copy of the signed Partnership Statement for the 4^th Philippines – UK Economic Dialogue can be accessed in this link.*

Date of release: 23 May 2023