Manila: The Philippines and the United Kingdom (UK) have expressed their intent to improve their trade and people-to-people relations. This development came during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s meeting with UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs David Lammy at Malaca±an Palace in Manila.

According to Philippines News Agency, during the meeting, President Marcos highlighted the significant increase in the number of Filipinos living and working in the UK. He remarked on the strong bilateral relations, indicating that the visit of Secretary Lammy serves as a symbol of that strengthening relationship. Approximately 200,000 Filipinos are currently residing in the UK, contributing to various sectors such as information technology (IT), aviation, hospitality and service, and health care.

The meeting also underscored the growing presence of Filipino engineers and IT experts in the UK since 2001, working with British telecommunication, software, and e-commerce solutions companies. Marcos and Lammy further discussed areas of cooperation, focusing on trade and investments, maritime affairs, climate change, and environmental issues.

Lammy's visit to the Philippines aims to promote an enhanced partnership between the two nations. The formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the UK were established on July 4, 1946, marking a long history of collaboration and mutual support.