Great British Festival 2024 (19-20 October 2024) Manila

Great British Festival 2024

  • THE British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP) announced the return of the Great British Festival; following its great success in its return last 2023 since its hiatus in 2019 due to the pandemic–in partnership with the British Embassy Manila and the British Council
  • Celebrates UK-Philippine Friendship Day on 20 October 2024
  • A total of 38 UK Companies and over 50,000 attendees joined the event in 2023
  • GBF 2023 Activities: Radical Sportscars F1 simulators, Bike show by Triumph Motorcycles, Bathbomb making by Lush, Samples and selling of One World Butchers, Union Jack Tavern, Quorn, The Borough Pizza Pub, Face-painting and Caricature making
  • GBF 2024 aims to host a much-larger event with more British companies to join

For further information contact BCCP at info@britcham.org.ph 

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UK – Philippines Trade Data (2nd August 2024)

UK - Philippines Trade Data

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Diplomatic Reception on the Terrace of the House of Lords

 

 

Gabriella Quimson Vice Chairman  Philippine British Business Council(PBBC)  and His Excellency Ambassador Locsin arriving the House of Lords.

Joseph Miro Chairman of Philippine British Business Council(PBBC) was also present at a Diplomatic Reception on the Terrace of the House of Lords to hear a speech given by the Rt Hon Lord Howell of Guilford.

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PBBC 30 years Anniversary

 

PBBC Members from left to right: Former British Ambassador to the Philippines Paul Dimond, David H. Bill, Rowena Romulo, Dr. Gabriella Tuason Quimson, Chairman Joseph Miro, Melissa Dizon, representatives from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade Priya Soni and John Williams, and Alistair M. Fulton, taken at the Philippine Embassy in London during their May 2024 meeting.

As the Philippine-British Business Council (PBBC) moves towards our 30th anniversary, under our new London Chairman Joseph Miro the background for the further development of bilateral trade and direct investment opportunities for both countries has never been stronger. The value of UK exports to the Philippines in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2023 was £1.3 billion (+16%), with imports of £1.7 billion (+22%). Services contributed about 40% of the former. UK outward direct investment to the Philippines in 2021 reached £449 million. In recent years, cases of inward direct investment have also grown.

In 2024, we have welcomed among others as members of the PBBC London Dr Gabriella Tuason Quimson and Mr Stephen Philips. Dr Quimson is a governance and anti-corruption specialist. Her father was Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St James’s in the 1980s. She has long experience in the UK and holds both Filipino and British citizenships, dividing her time between the two countries. Mr Philips was appointed Senior Adviser at BDO Unibank in January 2024, in a long career focused on cross-border trade, investment and finance in Asia. Before his appointment as Chief Executive of the China-Britain Business Council in 2006, he had been International Trade Director of UK Trade and Investment in the British Government.

As a business-led apolitical body, the PBBC works closely with both Governments’ trade and investment Departments, with much non-financial support from the Philippine Embassy in London and the British Embassy and the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines in Manila. Individual PBBC members (all volunteers) have cumulative experience of trading conditions and contacts of well over 100 years. Unlike other surviving Business Councils, the PBBC itself has long adopted the policy of focus on those sectors offering the more obvious opportunities. These have included IT, agribusiness, energy and retail and we are currently aligning our focus with sectors identified by both Governments.

We offer a free service of advice in the UK to bona fide companies new to the market and are happy to hear from British firms interested in the Philippine market, whether diversifying from other ASEAN markets or completely new to the region, whether they wish to export products or services, find joint partners in the Philippines or invest there directly for longer-term market share. We are equally happy to hear from Philippine companies seeking partners in the UK or looking for direct investment opportunities.

 

All contacts should be directed to info@philippinebritish.com

 

Philippine-British Business Council

London

3 June 2024

 

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UK Export Finance

Discover what the UK offers in finance to support major projects when buying UK Goods and services.

UK export finance

Clink on the link below to see a presentation of the UK Export Finance Scheme

> > UK export Finance – Competitive finance when you buy from the UK < <

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Dec 22

When Britain Ruled the Philippines

The era when Britain ruled the Philippines was quite some time ago and for a very short period in its long history. Fortunately Shirley Fish has written a great book on the period when Britain ruled the Philippines which is available for a great read and provides essential hitorical information on how The Philippines has developed to where it is now – one of the best growing countries in South East Asia.

This is a quick introduction to the book “When Britain Ruled the Philippines”.  The British invasion of the Philippines was the first challenge to Spain’s control of the archipelago after 191 years of rule. The Royal Navy and British Army joined with the East India Company in Madras to capture Spain’s Asian colony. In conjunction with the attack against Spain’s key possession in the Americas, Havana, both settlements were successfully seized. However, in the Philippines, whilst the expedition was launched as part of a plan to harass the Spaniards in their possessions, as well as for commercial gain and new territories, the military campaign led by General William Draper and Admiral Samuel Cornish, may have been launched under the guise of an invasion in order to gain prize money. The author describes the events concerning when Britain ruled the Philippines as they unfolded at the Admiralty in London and at the East India Company in Madras, leading to the invasion and occupation of the capital Manila and the port city of Cavite. The capital was looted, a galleon was seized, and the British commanders imposed a ransom of four million dollars upon the Spaniards. The enormous sums in prize money and valuables seized mainly benefited the commanders…

The book of this period in Philippines History – when Britain ruled the Philippines – is now availaible to buy online. Just click on the Amazon box above to buy “When Britain Ruled the Philippines”.
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Dec 16

Philippines PPP and Infrastructure projects updated

The Philippine PPP programme infrastructure projects are worth at least £5 bn. Prioritised projects for rollout 2012-2013 are in transport, valued at £2 bn (rail, airports, ports and roads), and other infrastructure projects valued at £1.3 bn.Road infrastructure

Background

The Philippines’ PPP programme has been identified as the way to tackle much needed infrastructure development, supported by relevant economic and regulatory reforms, greater transparency and good governance. 2011 closed with the successful bidding of the first PPP road project valued at £ 22.8M, and January 2012 kicked off with the tender for PPP school buildings project.

Under its PPP initiative, the government is determined to catch up on much needed investment in transport infrastructure and is keen on approaching this in a clear and transparent manner. It has also set aside budgets for right-of-way acquisitions on several infrastructure projects and established the PPP Centre with initial funds to support project development and monitoring.

The projects offer opportunities for UK products, services and expertise that can be accessed by participating in the bidding process or tapping supply chain opportunities through direct supply or partnerships. Opportunities can be categorized into two main areas, which are; Infrastructure that includes planning, construction, maintenance and equipment; and, Specialist Expertise in project management, consultancy, financing and insurance.

Specific Opportunities 2012-2013

Several PPP projects have been prioritised for rollout from 2012-2013, with an overall indicative cost of £3.3bn. This involves key transport projects estimated at £2 bn (rail, airports, ports and roads), as well as other infrastructure projects estimated at £1.3 bn. (Please see tables on the following page)

Opportunities for participation in the Philippines’ PPP programme and infrastructure projects may be through: preparation of studies as part of the PPP Centre’s accredited panel of transaction advisers; direct participation in tender for project implementation and delivery, either as lead, partner or member of a consortium; and, product, service and expertise requirements down the supply chain.

UK – PH Partnership

The UK has positioned itself has the PH’s partner in its PPP initiative – with Post lending support directly to the Philippine’s PPP Centre through capability building activities, and introducing UK companies to key project proponents and stakeholders. Through UKTI seminars and trade missions, UK capabilities and companies were given the opportunity to introduce themselves to market stakeholders. Among those that have been conducted on 2011 were on PPP professional services and sustainable infrastructure, and green design & technologies in early 2012.

This year, high-level visits to the Philippines (the Rt. Hon the Lord Mayor David Wootton and Rt. Hon Jeremy Brown), and counterpart high-level visits to the UK (relevant cabinet level visits to the UK, including that of President Aquino in June) were all leveraged to highlight UK capabilities in infrastructure and PPP.

UK reputation and capability in transport infrastructure and in professional services in PPP is gaining further recognition with more UK companies being engaged in various components of the projects in the pipeline. Several UK companies have won bids for legal as well as transaction advisory services, either directly or as part of a consortium accredited by the PPP Centre.

 See the full list of PPP Projects here. HVO Business Opportunity PHL09 – PPP Infrastructure Projects 20Sept2012

 

 

 

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Dec 03

It’s more fun in the Philippines

It’s more fun in the Philippines – it’s Official! So says, the Philippine Department of Tourism.

To coincide with the millions of visitors arriving in London this summer for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games, the Philippine Department of Tourism has displayed “More Fun in the Philippines” images on 50 double-decker buses, 50 black cabs and over 40 underground posters all around London.

 

Additionally, several press articles have highlighted the tourism potential in the Philippines.

Coinciding with the President Aquino’s visit to London in June, the Telegraph carried a 12-page supplement entitled “Here Comes the Sun”.

 Later in June, British Vogue selected Ariara in Palawan as No. 1 among Top 100 Best Holidays and most fashionable places to stay in the world.   Travel+Leisure magazine also named Boracay as the World’s Best Beach Destination.

In partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism, Land Rover Philippines created a video with the theme “Land Rovering.  More Fun in the Philippines.” It showcased the Range Rover Evoque driving through the Paoay sand dunes of Ilocos Norte, while also featuring the giant windmills of the Bangui Wind Mills and Patapat Bridge.

If you nee to be convinced just why it’s more fun in the Philippines, then have a read of the Department of Tourism explanation here.

Why is it more fun in the Philippines
 

For other flights, hotels and tourist spots in the Philippines information, please see relevant pages

 

 

 

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Nov 22

Electronic Tax Information System Bidding Opportunity

Philippines – Bureau Of Internal Revenue Seeks Bids For Its Electronic Tax Information System

UKTI has recently announced that a Philippines governmental department has invited firms to participate in the bidding for the repair and improvement of their electronic tax information system (eTIS).

 

$54.3M has been earmarked for the Revenue Administration Reform Project (RARP).  This is meant to help the government increase its tax revenues through policy reforms and capacity building through the provision of consultants, training, and procurement of software to implement the improved integrated tax system.

The aim of the eTIS (Electronic Tax Information System) enhancement is meant to re-engineer the current tax system to allow for a more efficient tax administration and expand into facilitating the processing of tax refunds or tax credit certificates.  

UKTI will be able to assist on how you can participate in the project.

For further information, please register your interest by visiting the UKTI site registration page here. 

 

Opportunity Type: General Procurement

Response deadline: 21/12/2012

Deadline: 22/01/2013

 

For flights, hotels and tourist spots in the Philippines information, please see relevant pages

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