Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 July 2024.

China’s WTO Trade Policy Review, July 2024: UK Statement. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

1. Chair, let me join others in welcoming Vice Minister Li Fei and his delegation, as well as the team here in Geneva so ably led by my good friend Ambassador Li; to you Chair, as ever; and to our Discussant for his comments. Whilst all Trade Policy Reviews require preparation, to review China’s trade policies is to review more than one tenth of global trade. So I take my hat off to the Secretariat for their report. And, of course, to the Chinese delegation for answering over eleven hundred questions.
2. Since we last convened to review China’s trade policy in 2021, strains on the global trading system and, consequently, economies, have only increased. We have seen new stresses on supply chains and global inflation, and national security has once again come to the fore. If such challenges are not managed in all our interests, there is potential for long-term damage to the rules-based global trading system.
3. Indeed, our shared prosperity and security depend on greater predictability and confidence in global trade – the benefits of which have powered China’s own economic development. As the world’s largest trading economy, China’s actions carry particular significance. It must lead by example. That means transparency. Taking action to tackle unfair discrimination. And addressing bilateral trade imbalances that stem from a lack of reciprocal market access. All issues we raised three years ago, and which remain salient today.
4. We recognise and welcome China’s leadership here at the WTO, whether it be supporting dispute settlement reform and the preservation of the e-commerce moratorium; spearheading the declaration on Technical Barriers to Trade and promoting the Investment Facilitation for Development Initiative at MC13, or working constructively to deliver for developing countries. China has made a positive difference.
5. And as one of the three co-Chairs of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender, let me also welcome China’s efforts to increase women’s economic participation in trade activities, particularly in the fields of science, technology, and financial services.
6. It is precisely this sort of leadership that we encourage China to demonstrate in other areas too, for instance in our discussions here at the WTO on industrial policy and subsidies. The UK looks to cooperate with China on these and other global issues that need our urgent attention and which it is in all our interests to address, recognising that there will also be areas where, at times, we will need to compete and must challenge.
7. Within China’s domestic market, we recognise where the government has responded to Members’ concerns since China’s last Review. We welcome promised improvements to the foreign investment environment, recent updates to data regulations, and pledges to further reduce the Foreign Investment Negative List.
8. In implementing these policies, it is imperative that China consults with foreign businesses of all sizes to ensure the improvements they implement meet their needs.
9. Indeed, there is much more we want to see China do to improve market access for foreign investors and importers, and to restore business confidence. First and foremost, legal commitments to a level playing field must be complemented by putting appropriate institutions and processes in place to ensure that regulations are enforced with accountability, transparency and fairness across China.
10. The current situation is that that in China, laws and regulations are sometimes published with little prior notice or are ambiguous in scope, leaving foreign businesses uncertain about how to comply. Where China has agreed to open market access, long delays in administrative approvals can appear arbitrary. Some UK pork producers are still unable to export to China, despite COVID restrictions being lifted 18 months ago. The Chinese government has affirmed that companies should not be forced to hand over technology, but how this is policed and discouraged is unclear.
11. Chair, the UK’s comments today stem from a belief that to restore confidence in the benefits of global trade, Members must fundamentally support the mutual viability of each other’s industries. It is therefore with the very aim of supporting global trade that we urge China to consider where its domestic support and protection for certain industries might be harmfully impacting others. And to commit to changing its policies.
12. In particular, with 98 central State Owned Enterprises affiliated with 32,000 legal entities and responsible for an estimated 4% of global GDP, it remains crucial that China implements fully its Accession Protocol commitment that the government will not influence State Owned Enterprises operations, if we are to ensure fair competition.
13. Despite China having implemented some corporate governance reforms, we note that some State Owned Enterprises have been tasked to make advances in strategically important sectors and that political oversight has been strengthened through Party committees. We continue to hear of foreign businesses facing difficulties in accessing procurement opportunities in sectors dominated by State Owned Enterprises. China could and should be more transparent about its management of State Owned Enterprises, and to demonstrate that they act as truly independent, commercial entities.
14. We also ask China to undertake further reforms to show Members that it is committed to transparency and to regulating the provision of subsidies, including those provided to and through its State Owned Enterprises; to disincentivizing overinvestment; and to taking further action to avoid oversupply in international markets. As Chair of the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity, we call on China to rejoin international efforts to remove market-distorting subsidies which support excess capacity in steel making.
15. Chair, in September 2023, President Xi spoke of the need to reaffirm free trade and genuine multilateralism – a principle that implies governments working together to promote trade reciprocity and the free flow of goods and services across borders. We agree. But we ask China to consider where efforts for self-reliance and security may conflict with that fundamental idea.
16. For example, despite committing, on accession to the WTO, to join the Government Procurement Agreement, China’s government procurement remains closed to imported goods. We have welcomed changes to data regulations in China, but significant restrictions remain on information moving out of the country, with businesses feeling pressed to localise production to unlock market access in China. Such measures to onshore supply chains undermine trade reciprocity.
17. That said, all Members have the right to take legitimate measures to protect their national security, but this must not be abused to justify arbitrary discrimination. At the WTO, we have questioned China’s restrictions on some exports of critical minerals. If not transparently enforced, the 2023 amendments to the Anti-Espionage Law and broad national security exemptions in domestic legislation undermine the predictability of the trading environment that businesses need.
18. And the opaque and arbitrary use of economic measures for political reasons to undermine the legitimate choices of WTO Members undermines trust in China as a reliable trading partner. Such actions also undermine confidence that China is indeed committed to the open, rules-based, transparent, and non-discriminatory system that it says it wants and that we so passionately want to see.
19. Chair, to conclude, the UK’s engagement with this Trade Policy Review has been motivated by the belief that the WTO remains indispensable but is challenged by the ways in which its Members are operating as they seek to cope with global challenges. We need to remember the collective benefit we all receive from adherence to a rules-based and codified trading system. We are confident that China is willing and able to listen to trading partners’ concerns, and we want to continue working constructively with China to restore predictability and confidence in the multilateral system.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 July 2024.

Improving living standards for working people through economic growth will be the central focus of new laws set to be unveiled by His Majesty The King today [Wednesday 17 July].

Improving living standards for working people through economic growth will be the central focus of new laws set to be unveiled by His Majesty The King today [Wednesday 17 July].

In the first State Opening of Parliament under this government, The King’s Speech is expected to unveil over 35 bills and draft bills which will support delivery of the government’s first steps and missions to rebuild Britain.

The package of bills will focus on growing the economy through better transport, more jobs and turbocharging building of houses and infrastructure – helping to make every part of the country better off.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

Now is the time to take the brakes off Britain. For too long people have been held back, their paths determined by where they came from – not their talents and hard work.

I am determined to create wealth for people up and down the country. It is the only way our country can progress, and my government is focussed on supporting that aspiration.

Today’s new laws will take back control and lay the foundations of real change that this country is crying out for, creating wealth in every community and making people better off – supporting their ambitions, hopes and dreams.

Transport

New legislation will be introduced to create a simplified rail system by bringing rail services into public ownership once their contracts expire or if operators fail to deliver on their commitments. This approach will avoid the burden falling on taxpayers to cough up for compensation to operators for taking services into public ownership.

Transferring operations to the public sector will save the taxpayer millions of pounds currently paid out in fees to private operators each year. It will end the fragmentation of our railways, establishing a more efficient and reliable rail service for passengers – helping to get people to work on time and boosting productivity.

The government will also introduce legislation to establish a new public body, Great British Railways (GBR) which will be focused on improving services and creating better value for money for passengers.

With Great British Railways, the fares and ticketing system will see simplified fares, discounts, and ticket types. Once established, the new body will also ensure that ticketing innovations like automatic compensation, digital pay-as-you-go and digital season ticketing are rolled out across the whole network.

The King’s Speech is also expected to feature a Better Buses Bill to deliver the government’s manifesto commitment to reform the bus system by delivering new powers for local leaders to franchise local bus services and to lift the restriction on new publicly owned bus operators.

This will help bring an end to the postcode lottery of bus services and will give local communities throughout England the power to take back control of their bus services. It will mean local leaders can decide to introduce better bus networks, at pace, which reflect the needs of the local communities that rely on them.

Building

Getting Britain to build more housing and infrastructure, including through planning reform, will also be central to the Government’s plans to strengthen economic growth.

The Bill will speed up and streamline the planning process to build more homes of all tenures and accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects.

By enabling democratic engagement with how, not if, homes and infrastructure are built – the major brakes on the planning system will be addressed to support sustainable growth.

Empowering local communities

As part of the government’s plans to empower local leaders to deliver change for their communities, the King’s Speech is also expected to unveil the English Devolution Bill. This will deliver the Government’s manifesto commitment to transfer power into local communities and recognising the vital role local leaders play in supporting growth by establishing local growth plans that bring economic benefit to communities and households across the country.

The speech will build on the first fortnight of the government’s mission of national renewal.

From the launch of a National Wealth Fund to strengthen UK investment, to a new Mission Control tasked with turbocharging the UK to clean power by 2030, to opening the recruitment of a new Border Security Command, and the Deputy Prime Minister’s pledge to kickstart a new devolution revolution to transfer more powers out of Westminster and into the hands of local people – the Government is hitting the ground running and wasting no time in its work to change the country.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 July 2024.

Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

Nine months since the 7 October attacks, at least 120 hostages, alive and dead, remain held in horrific conditions. Innocent Palestinians continue to suffer and die in Gaza. A devastating humanitarian crisis is worsening by the day. There is an imminent risk of famine. And we are deeply concerned about the risk of regional escalation, in particular along the blue line between Israel and Lebanon.

President, in one of his first acts as UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer set out the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, immediate release of all hostages, and an immediate surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. We strongly support the ongoing efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the United States to this end – the deal on the table, endorsed by this Council in resolution 2735, is the best chance to support this. We urge both sides to show flexibility in negotiations and demonstrate a clear and firm commitment to ensure implementation of the deal.

First, we are calling on Israel to protect civilians, to allow unfettered aid into Gaza and to ensure the UN and humanitarian actors have the access and equipment necessary to safely get aid to those who need it most. We reaffirm our support for UNRWA and the vital role it plays in saving lives in Gaza as well as providing basic services and promoting stability in the West Bank and the wider region – a fundamental building block for lasting peace. It is essential that UNRWA is able to operate on a sustainable financial basis and able to deliver on its mandate.

Second, we express our serious concern at the escalating violence perpetrated by settlers in the West Bank. We condemn recent Israeli expansion of settlements. We reject decisions by the Government of Israel to declare 2,357 hectares of land in the West Bank as ‘state lands’ so far this year – the largest of such declarations of state land since the Oslo Accords. Such acts are not only illegal under international law, but also undermine prospects for a two-state solution. We demand a halt to these illegal activities.

Third, there is no military solution to this conflict. Pursuing military options will only deepen divisions and perpetuate the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis. The civilian death toll in Gaza is unacceptable. Reports of civilian casualties following Israeli strikes near schools and designated humanitarian zones in Gaza in recent weeks were appalling – as the Foreign Secretary said, urgent measures are needed to protect civilians.

We are appalled by the impact of the conflict on women and children. The UN estimates that there are over 17,000 unaccompanied children in Gaza, and over 5,000 women have been confirmed as killed, with many more unidentified or missing. Many of those killed and missing are mothers. Children are especially vulnerable to being killed, maimed, separated from their family, suffering trauma, acute malnutrition, violence, and exploitation. Women and girls in Gaza face a desperate struggle to access food and ensure basic hygiene, health and dignity in the face of unfathomable sanitary conditions, rape, and conflict related sexual violence.

Peace will be sustainable only if both Israelis and Palestinians recommit to a renewed peace process resulting in a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian State – the undeniable right of the Palestinian people. The UK Foreign Secretary’s visit to the region this week signifies our unwavering commitment to this end. The UK Prime Minister has spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Abbas, and other regional leaders, underscoring the UK’s commitment to play its full diplomatic role in securing a ceasefire deal and creating the space for a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution. The world needs a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 July 2024.

Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the High-Level Political Forum 2024.

The UK’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals is unwavering.

My government has set out a central mission to tackle global poverty, instability and the climate and nature crisis. And to deliver this in genuine partnership with our friends in the Global South, driven by respect. Local leadership supports lasting, long-term impact and more inclusive progress, that leaves no one behind.

The SDGs under review this year are at the heart of the UK’s domestic and international agenda. Mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss. Delivering economic transformation, green growth and jobs to lift people out of poverty. Preventing and ending conflicts that steal the promise of development. Delivering humanitarian assistance to those who need it most. Unlocking more climate and development finance, and mobilising private sector to help deliver the SDGs and provide investment. Supporting faster Global Financial System reform.

Tackling unsustainable debt and illicit finance, which prevent countries from investing in their development. And empowering women and girls, the key to progress across all SDGs. We thank Brazil for their efforts through the G20 to refocus minds on hunger and poverty at this critical moment. All of this requires greater multilateral action and partnerships, to get the SDGs back on track.

We have many opportunities to do so over the coming months, including at the Summit of the Future, the third Land Locked Developing Country’s forum, the fourth Financing for Development Conference. The upcoming Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review must also ensure the UN system is best positioned to deliver the 2030 Agenda. Following the SDG Summit last year, we have the momentum. We must now focus on accelerating SDG progress – drawing on the synergies between climate and development, multistakeholder partnerships, and targeting interventions to the countries and people furthest behind.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 July 2024.

The UK is providing £30,000 (BDT 4.5 crores) of vital humanitarian assistance to support flood-affected communities in Sylhet, where over three million people have been impacted and 260,000 are displaced.

The current flooding in Bangladesh has so far affected over 14.8 million people in different parts of the country.

This UK contribution in Sylhet will be managed by Start Fund Bangladesh and implemented by Caritas Bangladesh. It will provide cash assistance, clean drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies, and complement the Government of Bangladesh’s ongoing response to the flooding.

The UK is also a significant contributor to the global humanitarian pooled funds, such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) and the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Both of these are providing a total of £5.9m (BDT 89.5 crores) to support people affected by flooding in northern Bangladesh with food, clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene supplies, shelter, health support, and cash assistance.

Sarah Cooke, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, said:

The UK stands beside all of those affected by the current flooding in Bangladesh. I am pleased to announce the UK is providing humanitarian assistance to support those affected.

This includes £30,000 (BDT 4.5 crores) through START Fund Bangladesh to provide vital supplies to over 5,000 people in Sylhet, as well as contributions to pooled funds that are supporting those in the north of the country. This contribution complements the Government of Bangladesh’s response.

Further information

1. The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is a humanitarian fund established by the United Nations General Assembly to enable timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to those affected by natural disasters, armed conflict, and complex emergencies through rapid, effective, and efficient channelling of resources to humanitarian agencies.
2. IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) is a pooled fund which offers rapid financial support to National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help them respond to small and medium-scale disasters or other emergencies that may not receive significant donor or media attention and therefore funding.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 16 July 2024.

Thousands of young people travelling to popular holiday destinations including Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca to work in bars and clubs have been given advice on the dangers of labour exploitation.

Border Force officers have been running Operation Karetu at 22 airports across the UK, targeting young people travelling to work in Mediterranean destinations who could be at risk of exploitation, criminality and illegal working.

The month-long operation has so far seen officers engage with over 1,000 young Brits, providing them with leaflets and guidance on how to avoid the risks involved as unofficial public relations (PR) reps – work that involves touting people into clubs and bars.

Young holidaymakers who travel abroad every year to work in the hospitality industry risk being forced to work long hours for low wages. Risks include working illegally due to a lack of knowledge about EU employment regulations or being exploited by serious organised criminal gangs.

Operation Karetu was initially launched in 2018 amid concerns over the welfare of young British nationals being exposed to different types of exploitation, particularly labour and sexual exploitation. The operation has had significant success and since 2022 there have been no cases of labour exploitation reported to the British Consular in the Balearics.

However, many cases of labour exploitation go undetected, and Border Force continue to run Operation Karetu every year as an important preventative operation to protect young people.

Home Office Minister, Seema Malhotra said:

Travelling abroad for a summer in the sun is an exciting prospect for thousands of young people across the country, but it’s important they’re able to do that safely.

Operation Karetu is just one example of Border Force’s work to protect the British public, ensuring young people are kept safe from unscrupulous employers.

This year’s operation was specifically targeting the Balearic Islands, which includes popular tourist destinations such as Ibiza, Majorca, and Menorca.

The operation began on 17 June and is running until 19 July this year, and is carried out in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the modern slavery charity, Unseen, and British embassies abroad.

Border Force carries out Operation Karetu annually as part of its Prevent and Protect strategies, to end involvement in exploitation and strengthen safeguards by protecting individuals, organisations and systems.

Key advice from Border Force officers to people considering working abroad:

1. Working while a tourist in the EU is illegal. If you are not an EU national or legally resident in the EU, you need a job offer, work permit and visa. More information is available on travelling to the EU and Schengen area.
2. Check you have a visa and a contract before starting your job.
3. Ask about accommodation and find out the rent or costs. Do this before accepting accommodation as part of a job offer.
4. Keep hold of your passport at all times. If it is taken, report it to police. You can contact the local British Consulate for help and advice. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

The Border Force operation is supported by modern slavery charity Unseen, who operate the Modern Slavery Helpline. Anyone feeling vulnerable about their work or finances can contact the Modern Slavery Helpline, in confidence, on 08000 121 700.

The operation is just one part of the work Border Force carries out to address modern slavery and trafficking. All front-line Border Force officers are trained to identify signs of modern slavery and make the necessary referrals.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 July 2024.

Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on multilateral cooperation.

The world of 2024 looks very different to the world of 1945, but the challenges we face are no less stark.

More countries globally are engaged in conflicts than at any time since the Second World War, we are facing a climate crisis and scientific and technological breakthroughs are raising new questions, which we need to answer.

A UN fit for the 21st century is vital to meet these challenges. I would like to make three points:

First, we need reinvigorated systems that are more inclusive and more responsive to deliver on important priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals and international financial architecture reform.

That is why the UK is committed to making a success of the Summit of the Future in September and realising its potential to set a new, ambitious course for the UN.

We also recognise that members sitting around this table need to be more representative of the world today and that is why we have long supported Security Council reform.

Second, we need to ensure that this Council delivers on its mandate to uphold international peace and security.

We regret that recent Council resolutions 2735 and 2736 calling for a ceasefire deal in Gaza and de-escalation in and around El Fasher in Sudan have yet to be fully implemented.

We call on all parties to do their utmost to see these resolutions implemented to prevent further human suffering.

We as Council members also have a responsibility to uphold our own commitments.

It is therefore vital that the Russian government stops sourcing weapons from DPRK in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and ceases its attempts to disrupt UN efforts in Africa, including by stopping Russian proxies targeted actions against MINUSCA.

Third, we must defend the UN Charter.

President, while you tell us how you believe the world order can become more just, democratic and sustainable, your military is systematically bombing civilians in Ukraine in an unprovoked war of aggression and in flagrant violation of the UN Charter.

What is just about trying to annex another country’s land? What is democratic about trying to subjugate another country’s people? What is sustainable about waging a war that has killed or injured over 500,000 of your own people?

The war in Ukraine is a stark reminder of what kind of world order Russia really wants – a world where might is right, and powerful countries can bully and invade other countries with impunity.

The UK does not accept such a world. We will continue to stand staunchly behind Ukraine. We will support its aspiration for a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter and international law, and its demand for accountability.

We will continue to be a tireless advocate for effective multilateralism and for the principles at the heart of the UN Charter.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 July 2024.

Ms Lisa Chesney MBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Uganda in succession to Ms Kate Airey OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Chesney will take up her appointment in October 2024.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Lisa Jane Chesney

Year	Role
2021 to present	Freetown, British High Commissioner
2020 to 2021	Home Office, Gold Command, COVID-19 Recovery and Change, Public Safety Group and Head, Counter-Extremism Unit
2018 to 2020	Home Office, Head, Counter-Extremism Unit
2015 to 2018	FCO, Deputy Head, Security Policy Department
2015	Higher Command and Staff Course, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom
2013 to 2014	Mogadishu, Deputy Head of Mission
2012 to 2013	Lashkar Gah, Head Politics and Strategic Communications, Provincial Reconstruction Team, Helmand Province
2012	Full-time language training (Pashto)
2010-2012	FCO, Head, Prevent Team, Counter-Terrorism Department
2008 to 2010	FCO, Corporate Services Centre (CSC) Change Programme Director, later Interim CSC Director, Finance Directorate
2005 to 2008	Coats Plc, European Category Director (based Germany)
2005	International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Lausanne
1995 to 2005	Coats Plc, Sales and Marketing, later Central Europe Marketing Manager (based Germany)

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 July 2024.

The British High Commission hosted a screening of the Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles finals on 13 July in Delhi to celebrate the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament and the power of sport to bring people together.

The evening’s gathering included tennis fans from all walks of life, sports personalities, business as well as representatives from the All-England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), the organising body of the Wimbledon. India’s top seeded tennis player Ankita Raina also joined the screening.

Becks Buckingham, Minister Counsellor Political and Press, British High Commission, said:

Watching, playing, and celebrating sport is at the heart of British life, bringing together different genders, cultures, age groups and backgrounds around a shared passion. The UK is a melting pot of diverse cultures, and our sporting traditions reflects this. I’m particularly proud that we all came together to recognise and celebrate the achievements of amazing women athletes everywhere.

Further information

• The Wimbledon is the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament. The first Wimbledon championship took place in 1877 and the longest match was played in 2010 by John Isner (US) and Nicolas Mahut (France) lasting over 3 days.
• Each year 500,000 attendees flood through its gates over the two-week period, whilst the tournament is broadcast to more than 20 million tennis fans around the world in over 200 countries. In 2022, Wimbledon Smash App recorded 194,000 downloads, with 84% of these coming from India.
• Sport contributes £39 billion yearly to the UK economy and the UK sport industry employs more than half-a-million people.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 July 2024.

British Ambassador Hamish Cowell hosted a Business and Trade reception to celebrate record-breaking bilateral trade figures between the UK and Lebanon.

In 2023, bilateral trade figures between the UK and Lebanon passed the £1bn mark for the first time ever, reaching a record high of £1.1 billion, an increase on over 45% on 2022. Export brands increased to £160 million. The top five goods exported by the UK to Lebanon throughout 2023 were mechanical power generators, cars, beverages, dairy products, medicinal and pharmaceutical products. Services accounted for over £600m.

The reception was attended by the Minister of Public Health, Dr Firas Abiad and a wide range of Lebanese businesspeople and entrepreneurs investing in Lebanon and the UK. His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan at the UK Department for Business and Trade, Oliver Christian delivered a recorded video message to the guests.

During the reception, Ambassador Cowell said:

Given the many local and regional challenges, it is great to be able to celebrate these record-breaking figures which are testament to the strength of the UK/Lebanon partnership. They demonstrate the opportunities our businesses are finding in both countries. We are very keen to see more UK brands come to Lebanon. We are also supporting Lebanese investments in the UK across various sectors.

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner Oliver Christian’s video message:

We’re here to celebrate the strength of our UK-Lebanon relationship, evidenced by our bilateral trade figures which reached a record high in 2023. This achievement is remarkable in and of itself, but even more so in the context of the challenges that face Lebanon today.

British brands are widening their footprint in the Lebanese market. Just last month The Entertainer Toy Shop opened its first branch in Lebanon. Baylis and Harding are now present in the market, and we expect more brands like E L and N café to follow later this summer.

We’ve seen great success on our investment side as well, with brilliant Lebanese brands like Swiss Butter, Meat the Fish and Nada Ghazal Jewellery now establishing in the UK.

I hope to visit soon to hear directly from you about the incredible country which has so much to offer.