Richard Graham MP, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the ASEAN Economic Community, undertook an official visit to the Philippines last 14-18 February 2022. The purpose of the visit was to promote trade and investment ties between the UK and Philippines, and to explore new areas of mutual collaboration and prosperity as the world recovers from the pandemic.

Throughout the week, Mr Graham called on DOF Secretary Sonny Dominguez, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, DOTR Secretary Arthur Tugade, DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Makati Mayor Abby Binay. Mr Graham also reconnected with senior business leaders, including the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the Makati Business Club, for a useful exchange of business and market insights. Along with the promotion of collaborations in sustainable infrastructure and in technology, green finance and UK Export Finance, Mr Graham reiterated the UK’s continuing commitment to increased trade between the UK, the Philippines and the ASEAN region.

Together with DOTR Secretary Tugade, Mr Graham witnessed the launch of education and training partnerships between the Philippine Railways Institute and the UK National Skills Academy for Rail, and between the Philippine Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and Solent University. The signed MoUs will support the high-level skills requirements in rail and maritime to strengthen the future workforce in the transport industries.

As the Chairperson of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Mr Graham, together with British Ambassador Laure Beaufils, visited Cotabato City in support of our work with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on the peace process under the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Programme.