British Chamber outlines achievements, priorities in 2026

Philstar.com

December 12, 2025 | 5:18pm

The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) reported its 2025 achievements during its annual Media Appreciation Luncheon on Dec. 10, 2025. It also outlined its priority agenda for 2026, citing key areas including agriculture, cybersecurity, ease of doing business, and further advancing UK-Philippines trade. 

While recognizing domestic challenges, particularly on flood control issues, BCCP Executive Vice Chair Chris Nelson remains optimistic on the Philippines’ economic landscape, following the easing of inflation rate and potentially, further interest rate cuts.

With foreign direct investment inflows declining by 40.5% in August 2025 and the country’s GDP marking a slower growth at 4% in Q3 2025, Nelson said that investors are now looking at the developments of the corruption investigation as well as economic reforms to boost investor confidence. 

Among the key achievements are the passage of the E-Governance Act and the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which will advance the digital transformation agenda of President Marcos.

Nelson added that the Chamber looks forward to the issuance of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the E-Governance Act, to further speed up business processes and provide an efficient delivery of government services.

The establishment of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) is also key to advancing UK-Philippines bilateral trade, which marked an upward trend growth of total trade in goods and services at £3.0 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2025, an increase of 6.5% from the same period of 2024.

The Chamber’s work with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) through the Philippine-British Investment Forum held on 27 June 2025, reinforced the growing British business community in the ecozone. As of 20 October 2025, PEZA reported a total of 75 British companies, generating a total of Php 45,438.4900 B in investments, and is expected to grow even further in 2026. 

“I think the Philippines needs to leverage itself as the ASEAN Chair in 2026. I think it is a very opportune time. People from the private sector, people we have worked with are also looking forward to it. We are closely trying to advocate in the UK to do business in Southeast Asia and in the Philippines,” Nelson said. 

The Chamber further outlines its key priorities for 2026 such as advancing measures such as the Cybersecurity Act, Digital Payments Act, and Blue Economy Act, supporting digitalization efforts, and leveraging the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship to boost regional competitiveness and attract British investors.

Nelson added that, “I think the Marcos administration, to all credit, has seen the passage of legislations, which we have supported. To reemphasize this point, you are competing with many other countries. In that context, passing key legislation on cybersecurity and digital payments along with others, can leverage market opportunities for foreign investors.”

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