UK trade mission sets visit this month

MANILA, Philippines - A trade mission composed of about 30 companies from the United Kingdom is arriving this month to look at how it can participate in projects for reconstruction efforts in areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda. 

UK Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad told reporters on the sidelines of the Great British Festival the trade mission will be in the country within the next two weeks. 

Companies part of the upcoming mission are engaged in infrastructure know-how, public warning systems, information systems and other capabilities.

“They’re going to link in with the Asian Development Bank, look at the projects that will be unveiled here on the back of the Yolanda rehabilitation and on an open commercial basis we’ll see what we can actually do on top of the volunteer contribution we have already made,” Ahmad said. 

He said the UK companies can provide technical assistance and know-how.

Considered to be one of the strongest typhoons, Yolanda, which hit provinces in central Philippines in November last year has killed thousands of people and left many homeless.

The trade mission is the third from the UK this year, following one with agricultural firms which visited the country in January and another involving companies engaged in education and training in February.

UK Trade and Investment director for Manila Iain Mansfield said earlier eight trade missions are being organized to the Philippines this year in line with increasing trade and investment links between the two countries.

The trade missions are also being conducted as many British companies have expressed interest in checking out business opportunities here. 

 â€œWe look at the world and we chose the Philippines as one of the emerging powers that we want to step up our engagement with. This is something that is long-term and we think that given time, the youthful population of this country, the spending power of this country and the economic contribution this country will make and then moving on from that, the voice you will have in the international scene is important,” Ahmad said.

The official said the UK also supports the Philippines’ interest in forging a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU), to which Great Britain is part of.