Source:  Bayanihan, 06 December 2011

MANILA, Dec. 6 –Jeremy Browne MP, Minister of State of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, revisited the Philippines this week to affirm the strong relationship between the Philippines and the UK, and to express Britain’s continuing support for Philippine development and reform in line with shared values.

Browne launched a UK infrastructure investment mission, which aims to promote British expertise in infrastructure and Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

The British official was the guest of honor at an investments briefing Monday morning on the Philippine PPP program at the Board of Investments (BOI) in Makati City.

He highlighted the UK’s extensive PPP experience in transport, health and education sectors and also financial, legal and transaction service expertise.

He cited the transformation of London for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a model of sustainable urban infrastructure planning and development that will benefit generations to come.

Browne said also that “London is the first Olympic host city to include sustainability from Day One of preparations. It is a demonstration of the UK’s wider commitment to global goals. We look forward to welcoming Filipino athletes and spectators in July 2012.”

“I very much welcome the Philippines’ standing on PPP, and am delighted that this infrastructure investment mission will help deliver on our commitment to support the Philippines develop in this area. It is also important for the Philippines to deliver much needed infrastructure investments through clear and transparent processes.”

He also welcomed Philippine commitment to improve transparency and reduce corruption. “We are glad to be working with the Philippines in the UN Open Government Partnership. The Philippines was one of the first countries to sign up to the partnership, demonstrating President Aquino’s thrust towards good government.”

Browne last visited the Philippines in 2010 to highlight the growing importance that the UK places on emerging powers such as the Philippines. He said that the UK sees the Asian region as playing an increasingly significant role in world affairs.

“Relations between the UK and the Philippines are as strong as they have ever been. Not only are we the largest European investor in the Philippines, we also share the same common values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights. We speak the same language and we’re leading members in two of the world’s most important regional organizations, the EU and ASEAN.”

The BOI briefing gave an overview of opportunities in infrastructure development, particularly in PPP, with the aim of raising the profile of PPP not only in the context of direct opportunities but also in harnessing the potential of these projects to boost the construction industry as a whole.

At the briefing, he launched a UK infrastructure investment mission which aims to promote British expertise and opportunities in infrastructure and Public Private Partnerships (PPP). He highlighted the UK’s extensive PPP experience in transport, health and education sectors and also financial, legal and transaction service expertise.

Aside from the minister, the briefing featured the following speakers: Public Works and Highways Secretary Gregory Domingo, PPP Centre director Eleazar Ricote, Philippine Constructors Association president-elect Agusto Manalo, Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and chief executive Arnel Casanova, and Trade and Investment Promotions Group Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio. (PNA)