For those who know me very well, there is no secret that the ASEAN region holds a very special place in my heart.
In the last few two weeks, our Chairman, Peter O’Kane and I have had the great pleasure to meet with some of the ASEAN Ambassadors to the UK discussing their country’s economic ambitions, diplomatic priorities, and scoping opportunities for our members.
Last week, as part of the activities celebrating the 50 years of Diplomatic Relations between the UK and Viet Nam, we had the honour to host in our offices the Ambassadors of Viet Nam, Lao, Thailand and the newly appointed Ambassador of Philippines to the UK, The Honourable Teodoro Lopez Locsin Jr.
Last week we also had the opportunity to sit down with His Excellency Zakri Jaafar, the Ambassador of Malaysia to the UK. We discussed with His Excellency ways in which the UK enterprise can contribute to Malaysia’s Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, which aims to boost the country’s economic growth and close the economic gap in society. Pressing areas of focus for the Malaysian Government are around renewable energy, Net Zero technologies as well as provision of education and skills to help support a new economy. The Ambassador agreed to speak as a Guest of Honour at an in-person round table later this year with the aim of providing more information on the commercial opportunities available to the UK private sector.
On Tuesday, Peter and I visited the Thailand Embassy, where we met His Excellency Thani Thongphakdi. The Ambassador highlighted the Thai government’s priorities in the UK, the desire to enhance trade between the two countries in the key areas where Thailand’s economic and development needs intersect with UK expertise. The three priority areas His Excellency Thani Thongphakdi will continue to focus on are Net Zero technologies (waste to energy, biomass and, in due course SMNRs), technical education and skills development in line with the industrial focus areas for the country (notability around energy transition skills) and wellness - with particular focus on the development of medicine technology, R&D and Pharmaceuticals.
BEI will continue to engage with the ASEAN diplomatic missions to the UK and proactively seek opportunities for our members especially around Infrastructure, Net Zero and provision of skills and training.
