Invitation from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to the Philippine-British Investment Forum scheduled on 27 June 2025, 10:00 a.m., at the HSBC Office, Level 34, Village Room 16, 8 Canada Square, Canary Wharf E14 5HQ.
UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2025 is the UK’s flagship annual event on science, innovation and technology in Southeast Asia. This year’s event will run from Monday 24 March to Friday 28 March 2025 in the Philippines (Manila) and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City).
This year, the UK is taking a delegation of cutting-edge UK AI and data companies to meet with stakeholders and potential partners in Southeast Asia. The companies represent the UK’s tech prowess – we are home to a $1 trillion tech sector with over 150 unicorns.
UK-Southeast Tech Week 2024 was a resounding success, with 150 bespoke business meetings organised, several of which resulted in commercial partnerships for UK companies. This is the third annual Southeast Asia Tech Week. The 2024 programme brought together 10 UK companies and over 500 Southeast Asian counterparts for a full week of activities.
Showcasing the best of UK AI and Data
We are excited to showcase 13 AI and data companies’ cutting-edge solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, fintech, health tech, and more.
Our goal is to foster meaningful connections and partnerships that will drive technological advancements and economic growth in the UK and Southeast Asia.
See the programme, details of UK companies attending and how to register CLICK HERE
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
Ease of Doing Business and Efficient
Service Delivery Act of 2018
Republic Act
11032 (also referred to as Ease of Doing Business or EODB Law) is part of the
continuing effort of the PH government to eliminate red tape and improve the
environment for doing business in the PH. You may recall that Item Number 3 in the
President’s 10-point Socioeconomic Agenda is to “Increase competitiveness and the
ease of doing business.” The particular focus
of the law is on the accountability and integrity of government service,
specifically, ensuring greater efficiency in the delivery of services and
preventing graft and corruption.
The Implementing
Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the EODB Act were signed on 17 July 2019 by the
Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, the Director-General of the
Anti-Red Tape Authority and the Secretary of Trade and Industry.
Businessmen will
be pleased to note that the basics such as number of steps, signatories and
documents to complete procedures will be addressed, as well as compliance and
transaction costs. For instance,
prescribed processing times will be 3 days for simple transactions, 7 days for
more complex transactions and 20 days for highly technical transactions. Failure of agencies to meet such timelines
will mean automatic approval of the transaction. Automation and electronic versions of
licenses, permits, certifications and authorizations will be adopted to the
extent possible, under the coordination of the Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT).
Equally important is the directive to make clear and transparent all of
this information.
Whole-of-Government
approach in reengineering government services will be adopted to ensure uniform
service standards and harmonization of existing and applicable laws and
consistent legal interpretations across all agencies. The end objective is seamless end-to-end
processing in the delivery of government services.
The monitoring
and evaluation of the compliance of all government agencies shall be the
responsibility of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), which is under the Office
of the President.
The Ease of Doing
Business and Anti-Red Tape Council is established to set policy directions and
programs to continuously advance competitiveness and ease of doing business
initiatives. It is chaired by the DTI
Secretary and has as its members the ARTA Director General, Secretaries of
DICT, DILG, DOF and 2 private sector representatives.
Innovative Startup Act of 2019
Signed
by President Duterte in April 2019, Republic Act 11337 (or the Innovative
Startup Act) forms part of the government’s policy to foster inclusive growth
through innovative economy by streamlining government and nongovernment
initiatives, to create new jobs and opportunities, improve production, and
advance innovation and trade.
The law creates
the Philippine Startup Development Program (PSDP), which shall be composed of
programs, benefits, and incentives for startups and startup enablers. The
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT), and the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) are the lead agencies tasked specifically to promulgate the rules and
regulations for the efficient registration and assessment of startup enablers
to be registered under the PSDP.
Other pertinent
provisions include the creation of Philippine Startup Ecozones or Special
Economic Zones in order to spur the growth and development of startups and
startup enablers. The DTI has also been tasked to spearhead initiatives to
develop short, medium, and long-term strategies in order to spur investment in
startups. Finally, the law introduces the concept of a Startup Visa which shall
be issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to foreign owners,
employees, and investors of startups. These shall have an initial 5-year
validity, and its bearers shall be exempt from securing an Alien Employment Permit
from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), subject to the implementing
rules to be promulgated by the DFA. DOLE, and Bureau of Immigration.
• The compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of the PH merchandise for the total trade to the UK from 2014 to 2018 is at 9.6%. During the same period, the CAGR for import is 15.5%; whilst for export is at 3.8%.
• The top 5 PH exports over the past five years are: a) electronic products (↑7.6%); b) machinery and transport equipment (↓ 11.1%); c) other manufactures (↑ 9.2%); d) tuna (↑ 12.8%); and e) processed food and beverages (↑ 13.4). 2
• Meanwhile, the top 5 imports in 2018 are: a) optical, photographic, measuring or surgical instruments and apparatus; b) miscellaneous manufactured articles; c) furniture, bedding, mattresses; d) toys, games and sports requisites; and e) commodities and transactions not classified elsewhere.3
The PBBC met in London on 24th September 2019 and amongst other topics they had a presentation on the recently enabled law on the “Ease of Doing Business” in the Philippines.
The presentation was given by Beatriz Alexandra G. Martinez, Third Secretary, Vice Consul, and Administrative Officer, Embassy of the Philippines, London.
The key slides from the presentation are presented below.
The British Business Delegation To The Philippines will take place during 23 – 28 February 2020.
The PBBC are delighted to be working with the British Embassy, British Chamber of Commerce in Manila and the Makati Business Club, to offer U.K. companies this unique opportunity to do business or invest in the Philippines. Please put the dates in your diary and make contact early to secure your place on the Business Delegation.
THIS EVENT IS MULTI-SECTOR AND OPEN FOR ALL
The British Business Delegation to the Philippines will include new and experienced exporters, investors, those looking to source from the market and those looking to outsource services to the Philippines. There is already strong, growing interest in tourism in the Philippines so anyone looking to increase tourism connections is also encouraged to apply. The delegation will be led by a senior and experienced PBBC Member from the UK with extensive experience of doing business in the Philippines.
Programme
The program for the delegation will include political, economic and
sector briefings, business matchmaking events, site visits, business receptions
and networking opportunities. One-to-one meetings can be added for a small
additional fee. There will also be time for delegates to take the opportunity
to explore the bustling city of Manila.
Travel & Hotel Package
The delegation will fly Philippine Air Lines (PAL) – the flag carrier of the Philippines (direct flight between London and Manila). The travel package cost will include flight, hotel accommodation for the duration of the visit and connections.
The Philippines
The Philippines is one of the fastest growing global economies and has a rapidly expanding services industry. Economic growth has accelerated in recent years, averaging 6% GDP growth per year from 2011 to 2018 and is expected to expand at a solid pace through 2019/20 (Focus Economics). Now is the perfect time to explore the exciting business opportunities the Philippines has to offer.
More information
For more information and to sign up to the delegation please contact Melissa Dizon on 07741 654362 or by email at melissad@martellobc.co.uk www.facebook.com/britishbusinessdelegationphilippines2020
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