UK delegation attends ADB fair in PH, strengthens interest in ADB projects

A trade delegation of over 40 British business officials visited Manila on 4-5 October for the 11th Asian Development Bank (ADB) Business Opportunities Fair (BOF) held at the ADB Headquarters in Mandaluyong City. Their attendance was a show of confidence in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific region, exploring business opportunities around projects funded by the bank and other partner agencies.

As an Asia Pacific climate bank, ADB is adopting new and innovative strategies to help combat climate change – including a new energy policy to align its operations with the Paris Agreement. The organisations joining the trade mission represented British capabilities across the sectors of energy, finance, public management, transport, urban development, and water. 

ADB highlighted UK solutions and capability with companies such as Mott Macdonald and Ricardo speaking in panel discussions on Doing Business with ADB, and Climate Change and Sustainable Procurement respectively. 

Most recently, the Embassy hosted a Joint Offshore Wind (OSW) Workshop in September where an ADB Senior Specialist from the Energy Division presented their work with DENR and highlighted recent award to ARUP for the Philippines Phase 2 of the Environment Safeguards Support for OSW and Solar Project in July. 

The delegation was also welcomed by the British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils with a reception, where they had an opportunity to meet ADB officers, local private sector players and local government executives to further explore partnership opportunities. 

ADB officers present for the reception include Director’s Adviser for the UK Shantanu Mitra, Philippines Country Director Pavit Ramachandran, and Procurement Division Director for East Asia, Southeast Asia and Pacific Operations Rustam Abdukayumov. 

Ambassador Beaufils highlighted that over 9,000 ADB contacts in goods, works, and consultants worth GBP 3 billion have been awarded to the UK to date and reassured the embassy’s commitment to support British businesses, highlighting that the DBT team in Manila, led by Director of Trade and Investment Lindsey Gilbert-Crouch, stands ready to assist in navigating ADB projects in priority sectors such as transport, energy, and health. 

The UK is one of the founding members of ADB, which supports the bank’s aim to achieve a prosperous, inclusive, sustainable, and poverty-free Asia Pacific.