UK Ambassador says: More British companies expected to do business in PH

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MANILA, Philippines – United Kingdom’s (UK) Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Anwar Ahmad said that – given the right opportunities in the areas of infrastructure and retail – more British corporations will be engaging in business ventures in the Philippines,

Speaking at the opening of the Great British Festival held at Bonifacio Global City on February 27, Ahmad noted that there is already a constant influx into the Philippines of business investments by British companies.

Ahmad likewise spoke about the trade road show being planned in the UK, in June of this year. The event aims to promote opportunities in the infrastructure sector in the Philippines, and is being organized in partnership with the Philippine government’s Department of Trade and Industry, and the Public Private Partnership Center.

Organizers are hoping to beat the record of the previous road show, which saw the participation of 250 big corporations and 50 small and medium companies

“We are going to take government people, Philippine investors and contractors and British companies who are here and we’ll match them with the invited guests,” Ahmad said.

As for the retail sector, Ahmad pointed out that the Philippines is a “spending population” and this is very attractive to British brands looking to expand their market.

“There are so many opportunities. This is an exciting market because the population is a spending population,” he said.

Among the UK-based brands expanding to the Philippine market is coffee franchise, Costa Rica, which is poised to set up shop in the country sometime this year.

He also explained that other British brands will be coming in, due to partnerships that some local supermarkets here are working out with UK retailers.

Another bit of exciting news came in the form of Ahmad’s announcement that a member of the British royal family will be visiting the Philippines in 2015.

“It will be over four days and it is multi-purpose, touching everything,” he said, as he advised those present at the fair opening to await further details, which will be released in the coming weeks.