Andrew Rosindell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-11-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to improve trade relations with Commonwealth countries.

Anna Soubry

Her Majesty’s Government is represented across the Commonwealth and, as one of its priorities, is committed to helping UK business succeed overseas. UK Trade and Investment itself is represented in around half of all Commonwealth countries. There is therefore a range of services that business can benefit from, dependent on the scale of the opportunities in each country.

A strong Commonwealth, with enhanced economic prospects for all Commonwealth members, is good for UK business. My noble Friend the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Lord Maude of Horsham, said in a debate in the other place on 11 November, “We underestimate the strength of the Commonwealth as a network for business.” My noble Friend is scheduled to attend the forthcoming Commonwealth Business Forum at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. This will provide an opportunity to discuss how to develop further our trade relationship with Commonwealth markets.