The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) plan to conduct an investment mission to the UK in June 2025. The outlook for British investors in the Philippines remains positive after the UK emerged as a leading investor in January 2025.
PEZA secured PHP 52.933 billion in investments during January, reported on Feb. 20. The UK joins China, the Netherlands, Australia and Malaysia as significant international partners for the Philippines.
“This remarkable upswing reflects our continuous efforts through various foreign investment missions, with more initiatives from diverse industries planned for the rest of the year,” said PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga. “Despite geopolitical challenges, these results underscore the Agency’s pivotal role in advancing the country’s economic resilience through sustained job creation, increased exports, and enhanced investment attraction—key factors in accelerating the nation’s economic development.”
BCCP Executive Chairman Chris Nelson expressed optimism about growing UK-Philippines bilateral trade.
“I’m sure they will highlight the opportunities of the CREATE MORE Act, the incentives to being in PEZA, and how that will continue to develop more opportunities they have,” Nelson said in a recent interview. “Coming into the PEZA zone gives you access across Southeast Asia, and we are working closely with Director General Panga and his team.”
The Philippines remains one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia, reinforcing its regional competitiveness through initiatives on ease of doing business, policy reforms and streamlined processes through digitalization.
Nelson also announced the inaugural Philippines-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting in London on March 17.
“We are very confident this will bring more companies in and, again, highlight opportunities in the Philippines, which we have been consistently doing,” he said. “It all ties together—having JETCO, PEZA’s investment mission, and the work we’ve been doing ourselves through our corresponding chambers of commerce in the UK.”
The recent signing of the Philippines-UK Joint Framework by Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and British Foreign Minister David Lammy signals stronger cooperation in trade and investment, defense and security, and climate action.
