PH, UK talk up trade

Lord Stephen Green of Hurstpierpoint PHOTO FROM GOV.UK

MANILA, Philippines—The United Kingdom’s top trade official arrived Monday for a three-day visit to bolster Philippine-British trade ties, the British Embassy said.

Lord Stephen Green of Hurstpierpoint, the UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment, will hold a joint press conference on Tuesday with Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and discuss the Philippine trade mission to the UK in October.

Green will also meet with the British Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines.

The UK official is scheduled to discuss with senior Filipino business leaders commercial opportunities and partnerships between the two countries, the British Embassy said.

The UK is the Philippines’ top trading partner in Europe and the fourth-highest overall source of foreign direct investment, with a 13-percent increase in exports last year valued at P38.33 billion.—Tarra Quismundo