UK Embassy to move to Taguig

The British Embassy is set to move to its new home in Taguig City, officials said yesterday.

A groundbreaking rite for the transfer of the British Embassy was recently held at a 1.2-hectare lot in Fort McKinley Hill in Fort Bonifacio, Global City. The construction will be finished by 2008.

Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga said it is "a great privilege" for Taguig to host the British Embassy, which is currently located in Makati City.

"It took us a while to accept the fact that to create an international city here in Taguig, the embassies must have to be part of it," he said, adding that he believes that other countries may also consider relocating their embassies and the businesses of their nationals in Taguig.

Last year, the city council passed a new revenue code that lowered annual business taxes for banks and other financial institutions, auto dealers, hotels, and information technology-related establishments.

Tiñga said the new tax code and other developments will help achieve Taguig’s vision to become the country’s premier city by year 2020.

British Ambassador Peter Beckingham expressed optimism that the transfer would benefit not only the British government but Taguig residents as well.

"The place is a real attraction and I am looking forward to be part of the community. I certainly hope to be making a real contribution in terms of jobs and more employment opportunities for the people of Taguig," he said.

United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office Director General Richard Stagg said they analyzed various options and found that Taguig City best met their business requirements and interests.

"We were looking for a site that would demonstrate the British commitment to the Philippines in an environment with good facilities and great access to the key things that we need to be close to. I hope that other embassies see this as a sign of the up-and-coming area in which they too could invest," he said.

Tiñga said Singapore and South Korea have bought property in Fort Bonifacio and are expected to transfer their embassies there by next year. The Turkish government also plans to relocate its embassy in Taguig.

He said they are expecting an influx of more foreign investments since Fort Bonifacio is already home to the International School, the British School, the Japanese School, the Victory Leadership International and other educational institutions.