Government trade strategy embraces UKTBC proposals
The UK Trade and Business Commission has welcomed the full publication of the government's trade strategy today which highlighted the unparalleled importance of EU trade for British businesses.
The 100 page document cites many policies first proposed by the cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission to boost the UK economy and remove barriers for British businesses including.
Mutual recognition agreements - which means British manufacturers would not need to test products twice before selling them in the EU, reducing costs.
Mutual recognition of professional qualifications - which would allow British professionals to more easily work in the EU.
Joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM) - to simplify Rules of Origin requirements and increase opportunities for British exporters.
The strategy states, ‘Nothing matters more to traders across the UK than reduced trade frictions with our biggest trading market: the EU,’.
Andrew Lewin MP, Chair of the cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission, said:
“The last Conservative government was defined by putting up barriers to trade with the European Union and failing to make meaningful progress in negotiations with other major countries across the world. The first year of a Labour government has seen relationships rebuilt and deals struck with the EU, India and the US. It has been a year of progress and the publication of the Trade Strategy is the vital next step.
“It is especially welcome to see a renewed drive to support our services sector, with an objective of securing mutual recognition agreements with more countries. I hope this will continue to be a priority for negotiations with the European Union, as securing an agreement with our single largest trading partner would be a real catalyst for growth."
Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of Best for Britain, Sectretariat of the UK Trade and Business Commission said:
“For the first time in almost a decade, ministers are focussed on building up trading relationships rather than tearing them down, and the government is right to definitively state that no relationship is more important for British businesses than the one we share with the EU.
“Policies first put forward by the UK trade and Business Commission and included in this strategy, like mutual recognition agreements, can most quickly and meaningfully boost the UK economy while putting money back into people’s pockets. “
