Diplomats, company execs gather at the 2nd ThePhilBizNews embassy night

UK trade envoy Richard Graham shared how he and the UK hopes to strengthen trade ties with the Philippines.

Diplomats, embassy officials, members of the media and the Philippines’ company leaders gathered for the 2nd The Philippine Business and News (ThePhilBizNews) Embassy Night on 26 April at the Hotel Okura, Resorts World Manila.

Jan Marshall, general manager of the Hotel Okura, kicked off the proceedings with a speech welcoming all attendees and touting the newly-opened hotel’s unique charms.

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Monsi Alfonso Serrano, founder of the PhilBizNews who organized the event, thanked the attendees for coming to Embassy Night, as well as the ambassadors for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend.

Speaking after Serrano is Richard Graham, UK’s trade envoy, who is visiting the Philippines to strengthen the country's trade relations.

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Graham recalled a past conversation he had with former prime minister David Cameroon on how there are lots of important countries in the world, but that MPs could not all visit them.

He also touted the UK as the Philippines’ number three trade partner in technology, and how he hopes to leverage the country’s trade strengths and work with local companies.

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He was followed by the UK ambassador to the Philippines, Laure Beufils, who shared that they are about to launch the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) on June 7. The scheme introduces a number of benefits to 70 nations, including the Philippines, such as lower tariffs.

Also in attendance are ambassadors from Germany, Belgium, Ukraine, Israel, Czech Republic, France, and the Ukraine honorary consul Bea Ang.

During the event, PhilBizNews also unveiled a teaser trailer for its upcoming documentary report covering Ukraine. Part of the proceeds will go to support the education of Ukrainian children.