India praised for role in Commonwealth initiative on trade

India has been incredibly supportive in providing trade facilitation across the Commonwealth, particularly for small and medium enterprises. PATRICIA SCOTLAND, Commonwealth secretary-general

: Commonwealth secretary-general Patricia Scotland on Friday hailed India’s “incredibly supportive” role in a new trade initiative launched by the 52-member group.

Top trade officials of the member nations were concluding a two-day meeting organised by the Commonwealth secretariat and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CEIC), which aimed at revitalising trade within the intergovernmental organisation as well as seize Brexit-related opportunities.

“India has been incredibly supportive in providing trade facilitation across the Commonwealth, particularly for small and medium enterprises. India’s participation has been intense and enthusiastic,” Scotland said, in response to a question by Hindustan Times at a media briefing.

The event acquired added significance in the context of Britain leaving the European single market and thus turning its focus towards the Commonwealth.

Emphasising state-private sector cooperation, Scotland said “no country should be left behind” in the post-Brexit trade landscape.

“Our family has never been more needed that it is today. We all know that we’ve been living in troubled and troubling times and we will have to look very carefully together at what advantages there are within our family. Therefore, intra-Commonwealth trade has never been more important”, Scotland said.

Initiatives agreed at the meeting included appointing a trade ambassador with a mandate across the Commonwealth, sharing best practices on regulation, business, legislation and anti-corruption measures related to trade, and practical ways of enhancing intra-Commonwealth trade.