Forum expresses concern over the UK’s poor stats on intra-Commonwealth trade
The Forum of Private Business (FPB), has expressed concerns over the UK’s poor record on intra-Commonwealth trade, following comments today at Parliament’s International Trade Select Committee evidence session.
During his evidence, Dr Brendan Vickers, from the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, remarked that the UK is the fifth lowest country in the Commonwealth for intra-Commonwealth trade.
Ian Cass, Managing Director of the FPB, said: “There has been a lot of talk about how Brexit will open up significant opportunities to trade with Commonwealth countries, but based on these figures there is a long way to go."
The Forum believes that Brexit should provide an opportunity for the government to reshape British trade policy, and is calling on the government to back its Get Britain Trading Campaign.
Ian Cass added: “As Dr Vickers pointed towards in his evidence this morning, the UK should be looking to adopt simpler forms of regulation as it leaves the EU in order to cut the amount of red tape for businesses, particularly smaller ones. Removing non-tariff barriers needs to be a priority too."
ENDS
To find out more about the Forum’s Get Britain Trading Campaign please visit https://www.fpb.org/getbritaintrading/