As the Philippines enters 2026 facing a complex landscape of domestic shifts and global economic volatility, the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) is set to host its first major event of the year: “Trade & Connect: Navigating the 2026 Economic Horizon.”
The forum will take place on Thursday, 29 January 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Dusit Thani Manila. This premier gathering aims to provide business leaders and investors with the strategic foresight necessary to navigate the evolving UK-Philippines trade corridor.
The event features a powerhouse lineup of speakers from government and the private sector, offering a 360-degree view of the nation’s fiscal health and investment climate. Attendees will gain first-hand insights from:
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Hon. Allan Gepty – Undersecretary, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
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Hon. Tereso Panga – Director General, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)
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Mr. Iain Frenkiel – British Embassy Manila, Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
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Mr. Ron Yip – Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
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Mr. Alvin Arogo – Vice President and Head of Equity Research, Philippine National Bank (PNB)
Strategic Focus Areas
The session is designed to address the “staying ahead” mandate for 2026, focusing on four pillars:
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2026 Economic Forecast: Analyzing GDP targets, inflation trends, and currency stability.
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Priority Sectors: Identifying high-growth industries for UK-PH collaboration, including renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and manufacturing.
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Risk Mitigation: Addressing supply chain resilience and global geopolitical impacts on local trade.
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Investment Incentives: Updates on PEZA initiatives and DTI trade policies designed to attract foreign direct investment. “In an era of rapid global change, proactive dialogue between the public and private sectors is the cornerstone of economic resilience. This event is a vital platform for stakeholders to align their strategies with the Philippine growth story for 2026.”
