UK explores investment options in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — The United Kingdom is exploring possible investment and partnership opportunities in Cebu as part of its efforts to strengthen economic cooperation with the Philippines, according to UK Political Counsellor Andrew Bowes.

On Thursday, Bowes met with Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, with discussions focused on areas where UK companies could engage and contribute to the province’s development.

He said education technology is among the areas where the UK has particular expertise, noting that the governor similarly expressed interest in including health.

Bowes also said that discussions with the business sector would help the UK identify opportunities in Cebu’s development, as well as possible challenges that British investors may face.

Asked about existing UK investments in Cebu, Bowes said he was not yet aware of a specific major investment in the province, noting that his visit was partly intended to identify potential opportunities.

He likewise said there are currently no concrete new UK-backed programs or investments for Cebu.

“That’s one of the reasons I’m here is to see what those opportunities might be. We don’t have anything that is concrete at the moment,” he said.

Bowes identified climate and renewable energy as areas where the UK has significant experience and could expand cooperation with Cebu.

He cited the UK’s previous Future Cities program, which explored ways of supporting sustainable urban development. One of its major renewable energy investments in the Philippines is located in Mindanao, where a UK-based organization established a large-scale solar power project.

Bowes also highlighted the UK’s humanitarian assistance following disasters in the Philippines, including support after last year’s earthquake and typhoon through the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund.

Bowes also expressed that his visit to Cebu is not solely focused on investments but also on understanding the province’s political and business climate.

“Embassies are the eyes and ears of our countries overseas,” he said, adding that the UK wants to identify opportunities that could benefit both the Philippines and the United Kingdom.

The UK is also looking to strengthen its cooperation with the Philippines in climate action, economic growth, security and good governance.

“Climate is a big concern globally, and supporting the energy transition is a big area that we are working on closely with the Philippines,” Bowes said.

He noted that the UK has also worked with Cebu on future city projects aimed at helping the city grow and be more sustainable.

Bowes said economic growth remains another major focus, citing opportunities arising from the Philippines’ fast-growing economy and the UK’s expertise in areas such as infrastructure.

He also highlighted security cooperation, saying the UK is preparing to begin negotiations on a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement that would allow British forces to participate in military exercises in the Philippines.

Bowes said the UK remains a strong supporter of the rules-based international system and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He also welcomed Cebu’s efforts to recognize the arbitral award as an important basis for international law in resolving disputes.

On governance, Bowes said the UK has supported the Philippines’ National Human Rights Action Plan and is interested in its localization in Cebu.

“We’re always very interested in human rights and understanding how we can ensure that those various commitments that the Philippines have signed up to over the years, how we can help ensure that those are being implemented in a way that works for Philippine people,” he said.

Furthermore, the UK and the Philippines will mark their friendship during Friendship Day in October.

He said the visit of the UK Foreign Secretary to the Philippines a few weeks ago also provided an opportunity to commemorate the 80th anniversary of UK-Philippines relations. — (FREEMAN)