International trade sec is ‘determined’ to help our firms seize opportunities
CABINET minister Liz Truss met with three businesses in the region to discuss how the Government can support exporters to benefit from free trade agreements and open up opportunities in markets across the globe.
The International Trade Secretary visited Rolls-Royce, Molson Coors and Warner’s Gin Distillery in her tour on Friday.
At the end of the visit, Miss Truss said: “It’s been brilliant to visit the East Midlands and see how our trade policy is supporting jobs and growth in the region – from Molson Coors’ £25 million investment in Burton and Rolls-Royce’s £12.2 billion contribution to the UK economy, to Warner’s Gin’s exponential export growth.
“We are determined to help East Midlands businesses like these make the most of the new trade deals we’re striking across the world, reach new markets and seize the opportunities our trade agenda is creating for them.”
The International Trade Secretary, who has been championing UK and British businesses around the world, has secured a number of free trade deals with countries and trading blocs alike that, she says, will help slash tariffs and support jobs in every corner of the UK.
Paul Stein, chief technology officer at Rolls-Royce said: “Great that the Secretary of State could visit us, as Rolls-Royce is one of the UK’s biggest exporters supporting jobs in Derby and across the UK through the supply chain of SMEs.
“The Secretary of State met apprentices working on engines that will be going to a range of global customers – made in Derby, sold to the world.
“We are committed to net zero by 2050 and the opportunities that will bring the UK and we briefed the Secretary of State on how we will meet that technology challenge and create new exports for the UK.”
Mike Nield, international commercial manager at Warner’s Gin Distillery said: “We were absolutely delighted to have received Liz Truss’ visit. All of the work on free trade agreements is going to benefit not only ourselves but all of UK industry exporting into Australia and New Zealand and certainly into markets where work is still ongoing.”
Miss Truss also praised the £25 million investment Molson Coors is making in its Burton brewery.
The International Secretary visited the company with Burton MP Kate Griffiths to see for herself the investment going into the site to expand canning capabilities to support a new product line.
The two MPs met with the brewery’s corporate affairs and marketing directors for Western Europe, Kate Macnamara and Ali Pickering, and Burton Brewery operations director John Cole, for a tour of the site, to hear about the latest business developments at the brewery.
This included a briefing on the recent £25 million investment into a new hard seltzer canning line, upgrades to its beer and cider packaging facilities to drive efficiencies and increased export opportunities.
In July, Molson Coors reported that the second quarter of this year represented their biggest quarterly top-line growth globally in more than a decade.
Ms Truss said: “British brewing is renowned for its quality across the globe, and our industry serves some of the biggest international brands in the business.
“Hearing about the £25 million investment Molson Coors are making in their Burton site is further confirmation that the UK is the best investment destination in the world and there’s never been a better time to invest.”
Ms Griffiths said: “Burton is the home of British brewing, and many of the brands that are exported all over the world are based and brewed here in Burton.
“Molson Coors is a key player in our brewing industry, and their £25 million investment in Burton is a huge vote of confidence for our local economy. That confidence is strengthened further by the International Trade Secretary’s visit to Burton today – a demonstration of the UK’s belief in our specialist production skills and contribution to our nation’s exports.
“I know she and her whole department are working incredibly hard to promote Global Britain, whilst I’m doing my bit for Global Burton, too.”
Kate Macnamara at Molson Coors said: “It was fantastic to have the International Trade Secretary visit our Burton brewery today, and hear about our recent £25 million investment into the site.
“The ongoing investment we are making in our Burton brewery is part of our commitment to opening up new opportunities for growth for our customers in new and emerging categories, and builds on the more than £100m investment we have made at our Burton brewery over the past decade.”