UK affirms partnership intent with PH
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said that the United Kingdom has affirmed its commitment to pursue partnerships with the Philippines, noting recent deals and ongoing discussions as signals of strong trade ties.
“The Philippines has been identified as a priority country for British investment partnerships,” Diokno said.
UK’s deputy ambassador to Manila Alistair White noted that bilateral trade between the two countries had already returned to pre-pandemic levels of about £2.1 billion.
The UK is also among the Philippines’ partners for the design of New Clark City.
“Together with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, they will explore partnerships on how to make the city into a mega metropolis,” Alistair said.
Meanwhile, Richard Graham, Member of Parliament for Gloucester and the UK’s trade envoy to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said that British alcoholic beverage firm Diageo would be buying the Philippines’ Don Papa Rum for US$280 million, and that automotive distributor Inchcape would be taking a controlling interest in CATS Motors.
