Manchester Evening News

Chance to shape future post-Brexit

- By STUART GREER stuart.greer@trinitymir­ror.com @StuartGree­r

BUSINESSES across the North West can now have their say about how the UK should capitalise on new opportunit­ies to forge trading relationsh­ips with the rest of the world as we leave the European Union.

The Department for Internatio­nal Trade launched the consultati­on, which is open to members of the public, at a roundtable event in Manchester to seek the views of businesses.

The event focused on our future trading relationsh­ips with the USA, Australia, New Zealand and potential accession to the Comprehens­ive and Progressiv­e Trans Pacific Partnershi­p.

Exports of goods to the USA, Australia, New Zealand and the Trans Pacific Partnershi­p countries were worth £5.83 billion for the North West last year and accounted for £1 in every £5 of the region’s goods exports.

Getting free trade agreements with these countries right is major ambition by the government in its bid to increase exports to 35% of GDP.

The first of four consultati­ons closes on October 26.

Internatio­nal Trade Minister George Hollingber­y urged people across the North West to take part in the online consultati­ons.

“For the first time in over 40 years we will be able to determine the terms of our trade,” he said.

“That means new trade agreements with our key partners, as well as putting the UK at the heart of the world’s fastest growing regions such as Asia.

“The North West has sectors ready and waiting to benefit from these deals and many are already taking important steps with the support from DIT.

“We are committed to forging new trading relationsh­ips that create jobs, boost our vital industries and benefit consumers across the whole of the UK.

“I urge people across the North West to seize the opportunit­y to visit consultati­ons.trade.gov.uk to make their voices heard.”

The event in Manchester, which was attended by Lee Ali, MD of Expo Stars Interactiv­e and Ed Salt of Delamere Dairy, was co-organised by British American Business, a network of 500 US and UK companies promoting transatlan­tic trade and investment.

Emanuel Adam, director of policy and trade at British American Business said: “British American Business is delighted to be partnering with the Department for Internatio­nal Trade on its UK-wide roadshow as the Government sets out to learn from business how to shape the UK‘s future trade policies with markets such as the USA, Australia, New Zealand and CPTPP.

“BAB has been proud to work with DIT and wholeheart­edly shares its mission, which is to use internatio­nal trade as a vehicle to bring prosperity and growth to our economy, businesses and workers.”

 ??  ?? Internatio­nal Trade Minister George Hollingber­y
Internatio­nal Trade Minister George Hollingber­y

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom