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Tag: 2023

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK statement on violence at Swedish Embassy in Baghdad [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK statement on violence at Swedish Embassy in Baghdad [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

    The Foreign Office has issued a statement on violence at the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad.

    A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

    The UK strongly condemns the attacks on the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad. Violence against diplomatic missions is unacceptable in any circumstances.

    Governments have a responsibility to protect diplomatic missions under the Vienna Convention and it is unacceptable that the Iraqi Security Forces did not act to prevent last night’s breach of an Embassy.

    We welcome the Iraqi Government’s intention to prosecute those responsible.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Landmark Social Housing Act receives Royal Assent to become law [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Landmark Social Housing Act receives Royal Assent to become law [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 20 July 2023.

    New law will strengthen powers to tackle failing social landlords and tenants living in unsafe homes will be better supported by the Regulator.

    Lifechanging reforms to social housing become law as the government’s new Social Housing (Regulation) Act receives Royal Assent today (20 July 2023).

    This means driving forward significant change in holding poor landlords to account, placing the needs of tenants at the heart of government reforms to improve the quality of life for those living in social housing across the country.

    Today’s landmark law brings forward the following ground-breaking changes:

    • strengthening the Regulator of Social Housing to carry out regular inspections of the largest social housing providers and the power to issue unlimited fines to rogue social landlords
    • additional Housing Ombudsman powers to publish best practice guidance to landlords following investigations into tenant complaints
    • powers to set strict time limits for social landlords to address hazards such as damp and mould
    • new qualification requirements for social housing managers
    • introducing stronger economic powers to follow inappropriate money transactions outside of the sector

    New enforcement powers will be made available to tackle failing social housing landlords who are not pulling their weight in taking swift action to address damp, cold and unsafe homes.

    Following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak last year, the government also committed to introducing Awaab’s Law where all landlords must fix reported health and safety hazards within a strict timeframe.

    The Act is the latest step in addressing systemic issues identified following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, not just on the safety and quality of social housing, but about how tenants are treated by their landlords.

    Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Rt. Hon Michael Gove MP said:

    Today is an important step towards righting the wrongs of the past. Our landmark laws will drive up standards of social housing and give residents a proper voice.

    The Social Housing Act will help to ensure that tenants get the safe, warm and decent homes they deserve – and those who have seriously neglected their responsibilities for far too long will face the consequences.

    Awaab’s Law will force social landlords to take immediate action on dangerous damp and mould as we introduce new strict time limits to fix their homes.

    I am incredibly grateful to Awaab’s family who have displayed such courage, dignity and leadership in pushing for change and securing these vital reforms.

    Alongside powers to issue unlimited fines, a stronger Regulator will have greater authority to flush out rogue social landlords, with the capability to enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make emergency repairs where there is a serious risk to tenants.

    The Act also makes changes to what activities the Regulator can charge landlords fees for, ensuring it has the resources it needs to do its job.

    We expect future changes to fee-charging will see all social housing providers – both private registered providers and local authority landlords – paying for regulation costs. This will include new consumer standards as well as other costs such as investigating when things go wrong.

    The Regulator will shortly publish their consultation on new consumer standards to help protect tenants and the regime is expected to go live in April next year.

    Fiona MacGregor, Chief Executive of the Regulator of Social Housing, said:

    We welcome the introduction of the Social Housing Regulation Act, which will empower tenants and give us stronger powers to hold social landlords to account.

    Our next step is to consult on the new consumer standards that landlords will need to meet, and we encourage tenants, landlords and others in the sector to have their say when we launch the consultation next week.

    We’re gearing up to start our new programme of regulatory inspections from next April, and landlords will need to demonstrate how they’re providing good quality homes and services for tenants as well as meeting our governance and viability standards.

    Gavin Smart, Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Housing said:

    We’re delighted to see that the Social Housing (Regulation) Act has now been passed and congratulate all involved in its development.

    The Act will provide an important foundation for giving tenants’ a greater voice, improving access to redress and increasing the focus on professionalism in the sector.

    Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said:

    We welcome the Social Housing Regulation Act and have worked closely with the government to support this legislation from the outset. It is essential that we strengthen powers to tenants and improve access to swift and fair redress. Housing associations are committed to taking the Act forward and demonstrating transparency and accountability to their residents.

    Alongside stronger regulation, housing associations are committed to working with the government to address the severe shortage of social housing and helping to deliver a long-term plan, focused on delivering the homes the country needs over the next decade.

     

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government clamps down on unfair bank account closures [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government clamps down on unfair bank account closures [July 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 20 July 2023.

    New rules give consumers greater confidence to challenge decisions.

    • New requirements on banks will protect freedom of expression
    • New rules will give consumers greater confidence to challenge account closures
    • Changes available because of Brexit and recent government legislation

    Banks will be forced to explain and delay any decision to close an account under new rules, protecting freedom of expression.

    The government has stepped in to address fears that banks are terminating accounts because they disagree with someone’s political beliefs.

    The changes will increase the notice period to 90 days – giving customers more time to challenge a decision through the Financial Ombudsman Service, or find a replacement bank.

    Banks will also be required to spell out why they are terminating a bank account – boosting transparency for customers and aiding their efforts to overturn decisions.

    The changes announced today (20 July) can only be made due to new powers in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, which give Britain control of its financial rulebook following Brexit.

    Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Griffith, said:

    “Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our democracy, and it must be respected by all institutions.

    “Banks occupy a privileged place in society, and it is right that we fairly balance the rights of banks to act in their commercial interest, with the right for everyone to express themselves freely.

    “These changes will boost the rights of customers – providing real transparency, time to appeal and making it a much fairer playing field.”

    The proposed changes follow a call for evidence launched in January, following PayPal’s temporary suspension of several accounts last year. It found that changes were needed to ensure the right balance is being struck between protecting customers, and providers’ rights to manage commercial risk.

    They require secondary legislation, which will be delivered through the powers granted in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, as part of the government’s programme in building a Smarter Regulatory Framework for UK financial services.

    This runs alongside separate plans to clarify in legislation the requirements for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), and a review into whether these are being applied proportionately by financial institutions.  These steps were commissioned by Parliament last month as part of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023; and the FCA will set out how they intend to conduct the review by the end of September.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK economy to receive £1 billion boost through innovative trade digitalisation act [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK economy to receive £1 billion boost through innovative trade digitalisation act [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 20 July 2023.

    Electronic Trade Documents Act receives Royal Assent, making trade more straightforward, efficient and sustainable.

    • Electronic trade documents to be granted same legal status as physical trade documents, making trade more efficient, cleaner and cheaper for firms
    • UK economy set to see over £1 billion boost over the next decade, with UK businesses enjoying huge cost savings
    • Act is a cornerstone to not only revolutionising how the UK trades, but to digitalising trade across the world

    A new law allowing shipping containers to be traded using digital documents, not paper ones, has been created after the Electronic Trade Documents Act received Royal Assent today (Thursday 20 September).

    The simple yet impactful change is estimated to add over £1 billion to the British economy over the next decade by making trade more straightforward, efficient and sustainable.

    Paul Scully, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy said:

    The global container shipping industry generates billions of paper documents a year – and in reality there’s no need for the immense costs UK businesses have to face in producing them, and the detrimental environmental impact that this has.

    What may look to many of us as a small change to the law is something that will have a massive impact on the way UK firms trade, and in turn, is going to boost our economy by over £1 billion over the next decade.

    Existing laws dating back to the 1800s previously meant that exporters and importers have to use paper documents to transfer ownership of the goods they are shipping – creating a costly, inefficient and outdated way of working.

    The government estimates that the new law could generate a net benefit of £1.14 billion for the British economy over the next decade for UK businesses trading across the world, supporting the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the economy.

    UK Minister for International Trade, Nigel Huddleston, said:

    This new act will make it easier for businesses to trade efficiently with each other, cutting costs and growing the UK economy by billions over time.

    It’s exciting to see the power of technology being harnessed to benefit all industries, reduce paper waste and modernise our trading laws.

    UK businesses, both big and small, have been calling for paperless trades for decades, especially as the development of electronic document technologies has become increasingly feasible for the industry.

    With less chance of sensitive paper documents being lost, and stronger safeguards through the use of technology, digitalising trade documents is also set to give businesses that trade internationally greater security and peace of mind.

    Secretary General ICC, United Kingdom Chris Southworth said:

    The Electronic Trade Documents Act is a game changing piece of law not just for the UK but also for world trade. The Act will enable companies to finally remove all the paper and inefficiency that exists in trade today and ensure that future trade is far cheaper, faster, simpler and more sustainable. This presents a once in a generation opportunity to transform the trading system and help us drive much needed economic growth.

    Lord Holmes of Richmond said:

    It has been an honour to sit on the Special Public Bill Committee for this ground-breaking, potentially, game-changing, Act.

    This is a small change in the law with the potential to make a colossal impact, unleashing innovation and investment in digital trade solutions and delivering significant economic and environmental benefits. Currently it can take days to transfer documents of title – with digital trade documents that will melt into minutes.

    With English law being the very foundation of international trade, this Act puts the UK ahead and in the lead of not only other G7 countries, but almost all other countries in the world. The UK is widely seen as a leader in digital trade and is setting out an approach which the rest of the world will seek to follow. The International Chamber of Commerce estimates 80% of trade documents around the world are based off English law, and this Bill serves as the cornerstone to truly digitalising international trade.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Swifter sanctions on unpaid child maintenance [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Swifter sanctions on unpaid child maintenance [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 20 July 2023.

    Parents who fail to pay child maintenance will face tougher sanctions faster after new laws were passed today (20/07/23) to speed up stronger enforcement action.

    Thanks to a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Siobhan Baillie MP and Baroness Redfern becoming law, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be able to impose tougher sanctions on non-paying parents – such as forcing the sale of property and taking away passports and driving licences – through a quick and simple administrative process.

    The Child Support (Enforcement) Act will see families paid faster as it gives DWP the power to use a liability order to reclaim unpaid child maintenance instead of applying to court and waiting up to 20 weeks.

    This time and money-saving change will allow the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to act swiftly, paying families faster and preventing further arrears.

    DWP Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie said:

    This is another step in our work to strengthen our powers and improve how the Child Maintenance Service supports children of separated parents.

    We want parents to collaborate where at all possible, but if the financial responsibilities to children are not being met, the CMS will help those in need.

    This new law will help speed up the enforcement process to get money flowing which ultimately will be for the benefit of children.

    Before escalating to this tougher enforcement action, the CMS has other options including collecting earnings direct from parents’ employers or different bank accounts.

    The CMS helps more than 900,000 children get the financial support they are entitled to and between March 2022-2023 collected or arranged a record £1.2 billion on their behalf. Child maintenance payments help to keep 160,000 children out of poverty each year.

    The Private Members’ Bill received cross-party support, with both Houses recognising its importance in helping children have the best start in life.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Inaugural UK-US strategic sanctions dialogue: British Ambassador’s statement [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Inaugural UK-US strategic sanctions dialogue: British Ambassador’s statement [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

    Written statement by British Ambassador to the USA Karen Pierce on the inaugural UK-US strategic sanctions dialogue, which took place on 19 July.

    The United Kingdom and United States have reaffirmed that sanctions are a key tool of foreign policy, following the inaugural UK-U.S. Strategic Sanctions Dialogue hosted by the United States Department of State in Washington DC on 19 July.

    Building on the unique economic and security partnership between our 2 nations, the Dialogue delivered on the 2023 Atlantic Declaration commitment to strengthen our cooperation on sanctions strategy, design, targeting, implementation, mitigations, and enforcement, bringing together UK and US departments and agencies to discuss priorities across geographic and thematic sanctions regimes. It also built on the OFSI-OFAC Enhanced Partnership, with renewed focus from both sides to explore opportunities to align the way we implement sanctions.

    The delegations discussed the use of targeted sanctions to deter and disrupt malign activity and to demonstrate our readiness to take action to defend international norms.

    In response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, together with our allies and partners we have imposed unprecedented costs on the Kremlin. The UK has sanctioned over 1,600 individuals and entities since the start of the invasion, including banks with global assets worth £1 trillion ($1.3 trillion) and over £20 billion ($25.9 billion) worth of UK-Russia trade. Sanctions and export controls are starving Russia’s military of key Western components and technology, restricting Putin’s ability to fight a 21st century war.

    Beyond efforts against Russia, the UK and US continue to build on our significant cooperation both in the United Nations and bilaterally to coordinate our autonomous regimes. This includes action to tackle human rights violations and abuses, counter terrorism, target cyber-criminal networks, and to address concerning situations in countries such as Sudan, Myanmar and Iran. UK and US teams also focused on collaboration to protect humanitarian activity from unintended impacts of sanctions, building on our significant cooperation on the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 2664 and on follow up across autonomous sanctions regimes. The talks also looked beyond bilateral dimensions and focused on efforts with partners to show collective leadership on the targeted, legitimate, and effective use of sanctions to tackle threats to international peace and security.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £28 million funding will help keep places of worship safe [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £28 million funding will help keep places of worship safe [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 21 July 2023.

    The funding will help protect faith communities from the threat of hate crime and terror attacks.

    Places of worship will receive £28 million in funding to help keep them and their attendees safe, the Security Minister announced today (21 June 2023).

    The funding is available this year through two schemes, with applications now open.

    The funding is part of the government’s commitment to ensure that faith communities in England and Wales are protected from the threat of hate crime and terror attacks, and can practise their faith freely and without fear.

    The money is for physical protective security, such as CCTV, intruder alarms and secure fencing to help protect mosques, churches, temples, gurdwaras and other places of worship. Mosques will also be able to access a new security guarding scheme later in the year.

    Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat said:

    Freedom of religious belief and the freedom to worship are fundamental.

    We will defend against any form of hatred targeting our communities, and are committed to protecting all faiths.

    I encourage any place of worship that feels they would need assistance to apply under the schemes.

    To apply for funding, applicants should submit evidence of their vulnerability and experience of hate crime. The application window is open for 8 weeks, and we will notify successful sites from November 2023.

    In 2021/22, two in five (42%) religious hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales were targeted against Muslims. This year, up to £24.5 million will again be available to protect mosques and Muslim faith schools.

    This protection will be through a new scheme called the ‘Protective Security for Mosques Scheme’ and a scheme for Muslim Faith schools launched directly to teachers of eligible schools earlier in the year.  An additional £3.5 million funding will also be available for all other (non-Muslim and non-Jewish) faiths through the ‘Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme’.

    The Jewish community continues to receive funding for Jewish schools, synagogues and other community sites through a separate scheme called the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant, which was increased by £1 million earlier this year.

  • PRESS RELEASE : 58th round of Geneva International Discussions: UK statement to the OSCE [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : 58th round of Geneva International Discussions: UK statement to the OSCE [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

    Ambassador Holland voices strong UK support for the Geneva International Discussions (GID) as well as for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Thank you, Chair. The United Kingdom continues to strongly support the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and the work of the GID Co-Chairs in the 58th round of discussions against a highly challenging geopolitical environment. As the only international forum that brings together all sides from the conflict, the GID plays a vital role in trying to achieve a lasting resolution.

    The UK reaffirms full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We call on the Russian Federation to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. We applaud Georgia’s commitment not to use force in resolving the conflict and condemn any suggestion that it might do so.

    We welcome discussions on the humanitarian situation on the ground, non-use of force and international security arrangement which are central elements of the GID. We hope that during the 59th round of discussions further progress can be made.

    We regret that important issues including internally displaced persons and refugees were not discussed due to a walkout by the Russian, Abkhaz and South Ossetia delegations. Progress on the Geneva process must include movement on these key issues. However, we welcome the continuation of dialogue on challenging topics at this significant stage.

    We also call upon the Russian Federation to immediately fulfil its obligation under the ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, fulfil its commitments to allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and cease all borderization tactics.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions Wagner Group leaders and front companies responsible for violence and instability across Africa [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions Wagner Group leaders and front companies responsible for violence and instability across Africa [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

    Thirteen new UK sanctions announced targeting individuals and businesses linked to the actions of Wagner Group in Africa.

    • new UK sanctions target 13 individuals and businesses linked to the actions of the Russian Wagner Group, including executions and torture in Mali and the Central African Republic and threats to peace and security in Sudan
    • this includes 3 designations for the mercenary group’s top officials in Mali and Central African Republic (CAR), including the ‘right hand man’ of Yevgeny Prigozhin, who have deliberately targeted civilians in their operations
    • a further 5 businesses and individuals involved in threatening peace and stability in Sudan, including through disinformation campaigns and providing military equipment, have been targeted

    The UK government has today (Thursday 20 July) announced a wave of sanctions against individuals and businesses involved with the Wagner Group in Mali, Central African Republic (CAR) and Sudan. These measures will limit their financial freedom by preventing UK citizens, companies and banks from dealing with them, alongside freezing any assets held in the UK and travel bans.

    The Russian mercenary Wagner Group has operated in Mali, CAR and Sudan for several years, aggressively pursuing Russian foreign policy interests in the region and providing military support to counter-terrorism operations which have seen hundreds of civilians killed. The UK has already sanctioned the Wagner Group, its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, and several of his key commanders who have participated in Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

    The head of the Wagner Group in Mali, Ivan Aleksandrovitch Maslov, is one of those targeted today. Wagner mercenaries, alongside Malian forces, massacred at least 500 people in Moura in March 2022, including summary executions as well as rape and torture.

    The head of the Wagner Group in CAR, Vitalii Viktorovitch Perfilev, and the Wagner Group’s head of operations in the country, Konstantin Aleksandrovitch Pikalov, are sanctioned for deliberately targeting civilians.

    Pikalov, known as the Wagner Group founder and CEO Yevgeny Prigozhin’s ‘right hand man’, is the operational head of Wagner in CAR. Pikalov is responsible for the Wagner Group’s torture and targeted killings of civilians.

    Wagner Group has also provided weapons and military equipment to Sudan. Three businesses, which act as fronts for the Wagner Group and operate in the country, have been included in the new measures, due to the continued risk they pose to peace and stability. These include M-Invest, and its subsidiary Meroe Gold. These build on recent sanctions against companies funding the conflict.

    Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development and Africa, said:

    The Wagner Group is committing atrocities in Ukraine, as well as acting with impunity in countries like Mali, Central African Republic and Sudan. Wherever Wagner operates, it has a catastrophic effect on communities, worsens existing conflicts and damages the reputations of countries that host them.

    These sanctions expose despicable individuals who have commissioned violations of international humanitarian law, holding them to account for the severe harm they are inflicting on innocent civilians for financial gain.

    The UK announced a package of sanctions linked to Sudan last week, targeting 6 companies providing funding and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

    Through diplomatic engagement and aid programmes, the UK continues to support local, national and international efforts to promote long-term prosperity and stability in Mali, CAR and Sudan.

    The UK remains deeply concerned by the destabilising role Wagner plays in this region. Wagner mercenaries operating in Africa have long been reported as being responsible for multiple breaches of international humanitarian law and abuses of human rights, including numerous reports of indiscriminate killings of unarmed civilians. The group’s presence in Africa is self-serving as demonstrated by their grip on the security and economic environments as well as their continued exploitation of natural resources.

    The individuals and businesses sanctioned today are:

    Mali

    • Ivan Aleksandrovitch Maslov, the head of the Wagner Group’s operations in Mali, who oversaw the group’s involvement in the Moura Massacre and has been involved in the commission of violations of international humanitarian law, in particular, the deliberate targeting of civilians

    Central African Republic

    • Alexander Alexandrovich Ivanov, the Wagner Group’s unofficial spokesperson in CAR, for his association with the Group which has committed violations of international humanitarian law, deliberately targeting civilians
    • Aleksandr Grigorievitch Maloletko, a military instructor for the Wagner Group and a close associate of Yevgeny Prigozhin, for his association with the Group which has committed violations of international humanitarian law
    • Dimitri Sytii, an individual associated with the Wagner Group in CAR which has violated international humanitarian law, deliberately targeting civilians
    • Konstantin Aleksandrovitch Pikalov, a close advisor of Yevgeny Prigozhin, for his involvement in the commission of violations of international humanitarian law in CAR, in particular the deliberate targeting of civilians
    • mining company Lobaye Invest Sarlu for involvement in activities which threaten the peace, stability and security of the CAR, including through acts that undermine efforts to resolve armed conflicts, such as funding the training of CAR army recruits by Russian mercenaries
    • Sewa Security Services, a CAR-based security company (and subsidiary of Lobaye Invest Sarlu) for its involvement in activities which undermine or threaten the peace, stability and security of the CAR, including by providing support for and/or promoting the actions of the Wagner Group in CAR
    • Vitalii Viktorovitch Perfilev, the head of Wagner Group operations in CAR, for violating international humanitarian law by deliberately targeting civilians

    Sudan

    • Andrei Sergeevich Mandel, Director General of M-Invest which in itself is responsible for action which threatens the peace, stability and security of Sudan
    • M-Invest, a company serving as a front for the Wagner Group, for threatening the peace and security of Sudan. M-invest has previously advised the Sudanese government on disinformation campaigns to discredit pro-civilian government protestors
    • Meroe Gold, a mining subsidiary of M-Invest, for threatening the peace, stability and security of Sudan. Meroe Gold has imported equipment to Sudan including weapons, helicopters and military trucks
    • Mikhail Potepkin, Regional Director of M-Invest and Director of Meroe Gold, for threatening the peace and stability in Sudan. Potepkin is associated with the Wagner Group. He worked to ensure planes hired by Meroe Gold could continue operate domestically and internationally whilst being undetected by commercial aviation radars
    • Al-Solag Mining, for threatening the peace, stability and security of Sudan by its association with Meroe Gold (and for its attempts to avoid existing Western sanctions and Sudanese regulations)
  • PRESS RELEASE : Boost for British businesses as UK and Indonesia pledge to grow trade ties [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Boost for British businesses as UK and Indonesia pledge to grow trade ties [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 20 July 2023.

    The UK and Indonesia have today concluded the second JETCO.

    UK and Indonesia conclude second annual Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), aimed at boosting trade ties, in London
    Unlocks potential for UK businesses to sell more to Indonesia, which is set to become seventh largest economy in the world by 2050
    Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston and Indonesian Vice Minister for Trade Dr Jerry Sambuaga agreed in the meeting to grow digital trade and continue to focus on renewable energy opportunities.
    The UK and Indonesia have today [Thursday 20 July] held the second Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) to help grow trade between the two countries – already worth £3.5 billion a year.

    With a population of 275 million, Indonesia is the largest South East Asian nation and economy and presents huge opportunities for UK businesses. Its rapidly growing economy is forecast to reach the world’s top ten by 2035 and be its seventh largest by 2050. The JETCO was launched in 2022 to help promote and develop trade.

    At today’s meeting, Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston and Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Trade Dr Jerry Sambuaga agreed to establish a working group on the digital economy and develop renewable energy opportunities – two areas of key interest for UK businesses.

    International Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston said:

    Indonesia has an incredibly exciting economy. We’re ready to deepen our trade ties with this growing economic powerhouse by opening exciting new opportunities for UK businesses selling to Indonesia.

    We are playing to our strengths, focusing our attention on areas of mutual benefit like digital trade. Making trade easier in these areas will provide a boon to our world-leading services industries.

    The UK is the second largest exporter of services in the world and the majority of these were delivered by digital means. Easing digital trade could unleash growth in UK services exports, already worth £658 million to Indonesia last year.

    In discussions today, Minister Huddleston also highlighted opportunities for increased collaboration in areas such as food and drink, agriculture, education services, Indonesia’s energy transition, legal services and fintech.

    The UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC) provides awareness on the latest opportunities in the region and facilitates trade and investment content delivery for UK companies looking to expand their operations into markets across Southeast Asia.

    The Rt Hon the Lord Vaizey of Didcot, Chair of the UK-ASEAN Business Council, said:

    Indonesia’s increasingly tech-savvy population and a growing middle class make it an incredibly attractive market for UK businesses. The UK-ASEAN Business Council is committed to supporting the growth of the UK-Indonesia trading relationship, by working with both governments to promote the tremendous number of trade and investment opportunities it has to offer.

    Annual bilateral trade between the UK and Indonesia is growing, with trade up 33% in current prices in 2022 on the previous year. By working together to address barriers to trade we have the potential to increase trade, grow both economies, and give UK businesses better access to a significant and thriving market.

    Paul Dyson, CEO Crossrail International (CI) said:

    This JETCO is testament to the close bond between the UK and Indonesia. Indeed, Crossrail International have a strong trading relationship with Indonesia and are proud to be offering advice and providing support to their Ministry of Transport on two nationally significant rail projects – Jabodebek LRT and HSR Bandung to Jakarta.

    Background

    The JETCO was first launched in 2022 to boost trade and investment and remove obstacles affecting UK businesses trading with Indonesia.
    The first UK-Indonesia JETCO established working groups on renewable energy and clean growth, and on agriculture, food and drink.