Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 March 2023.

A new partnership to increase exports of Bahamian-produced alcohol to the UK.

The British High Commission is pleased to have secured the services of Steve Boon, President of Wine and Spirts Guys https://www.winespiritguys.com, to support The Bahamas ambition to increase exports of Bahamian-produced alcohol to the UK.

Steve Boon, from New Providence, is a member of the UK’s The Worshipful Company of Distillers (the Spirits Guild) and is the youngest Bahamian to have qualified as a wine and spirit lecturer with WSET (at the age of 21). With 40 years in the wine and spirit sector, both locally and internationally, Steve Boon will use his trade knowledge, business acumen, and contacts throughout the world, to support Bahamian exporters wanting to access the UK market.

The UK and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, BCCEC, have also partnered to host an exporters’ web-seminar, on 29th March. As well as Steve Boon’s direct support, this seminar aims to educate Bahamian producers of spirits on the UK’s positive import rules and tariffs.

The British High Commissioner, Thomas Hartley, said:

I am very pleased to have secured Steve’s services. The Bahamas’ Trade Commissioner has asked for the UK’s help in opening up UK markets to Bahamian exports, and Steve’s unrivalled experience and network is a significant first step in bringing the two markets closer together.

I’ve reserved a bottle of John Watlings rum I was gifted, and will only open it when we celebrate seeing it for sale in British shops. I’m also looking forward to promoting London gin, Sottish whisky, and world-leading English sparkling wines at The Bahamas Food and Wine Festival this autumn, as well as a few others surprises this year.

Steve Boon said:

I am absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to be working with the British High commission, promoting Bahamian alcohol brands to the UK market. With such a diverse range of quality products, I don´t think it will be long before Tom is opening his bottle of John Watlings rum!

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 March 2023.

The Foreign Secretary met Israel’s Foreign Minister in London today to sign the 2030 Roadmap for Israel-UK Bilateral Relations. The 2030 Roadmap will deepen cooperation across tech, research and development, security and cyber.

In the year of Israel’s 75th anniversary, the Foreign Secretary welcomed the flourishing bilateral relationship between the UK and Israel. New multi-million-pound programmes announced in the Roadmap, including around £20m of joint funding commitments on technology and innovation, will enable both countries to remain at the forefront of the technological revolution.

Noting the need to de-escalate tensions in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Foreign Ministers agreed on the importance of upholding the historic Status Quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem.

The Foreign Ministers also discussed key regional issues of mutual concern, including Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. As Ukrainians enter their second year living under relentless and full-scale Russian bombardment, the Foreign Secretary stressed the importance of accelerating efforts to ensure Ukraine wins this war and secures a lasting peace.

On Iran, the Foreign Ministers discussed deepening our security and defence co-operation to counter the threat posed by the regime.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 March 2023.

The Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, and Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, met today (21 March 2023) in London. The Ministers reiterated their shared commitment to work intensively to conclude UK-EU negotiations in respect of Gibraltar as soon as possible. A treaty would provide certainty for those living and working in Gibraltar and in neighbouring communities, and secure future prosperity for the whole region.

The Foreign Secretary said:

The UK’s commitment to Gibraltar remains as strong as ever. We continue to work side-by-side to conclude an EU treaty as soon as possible.

Throughout the negotiations we have presented proposals that maintain the careful balance of the December 2020 Political Framework and could unleash economic growth for everyone in the region.

As the UK and EU continue to exchange proposals and work constructively towards an agreement, the Ministers recalled the need to respect the balance achieved by the December 2020 Political Framework.

The Ministers, while committed to the successful conclusion of negotiations, agreed to continue preparations to ensure robust plans are in place for all eventualities, including a no-negotiated outcome.

The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed that the UK remains steadfast in its support for Gibraltar and will not agree to anything that compromises UK sovereignty.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 March 2023.

Interactive Dialogue with the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador Rita French.

Thank you, Mr President.

The UK commends the progress that the Ethiopian Government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front have made towards implementing the November 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement, ending two years of conflict. We welcome the progress on disarmament, the withdrawal of Eritrean forces, and humanitarian access to Tigray.

Ensuring justice for the victims of atrocities committed during the conflict, and holding those who perpetrated these accountable, are crucial future elements of the peace process. We welcome the proposals on transitional justice brought forward by the Ethiopian Government, and the recent public consultations on this, including with civil society, and we encourage the Government to establish an inclusive and transparent process to implement these provisions.

Commissioners,

Thank you for your briefing today, and for your important work investigating and documenting the human rights violations and abuses committed by all sides during the conflict. We commend you for carrying out your work with a commitment to professionalism and impartiality. We reiterate our call on all parties to the conflict and regional partners to co-operate fully with your mandate.

Now that the peace agreement is in place, how do you hope to work with the Ethiopian Government, TPLF and AU to ensure robust accountability for human rights violations and abuses?

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 March 2023.

Moses Kuria meets UK Ministers to increase trade in the first meeting of its kind under the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement.

• The UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Council meets in London for the first time
• The Economic Partnership Agreement is the first trade agreement Kenya has signed with a partner outside of Africa
• The agreement will help secure jobs, increase economic growth, and support agricultural development and manufacturing in Kenya
• UK Kenya trade is currently worth KES 167bn (£1.1bn) per annum

On Tuesday 21 March, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Moses Kuria, met UK Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston in London at the first-ever UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Council Meeting.

Both parties agreed to accelerate work to remove barriers affecting bilateral trade and investment, working with our respective public and private sectors, and discussed the good progress made on the £3.5 billion of green investment deals which UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President William Ruto agreed to fast track at COP27.

The Economic Partnership Council meets once every two years as part of the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which came into force in March 2021.

The agreement ensures that all companies operating in Kenya, including British businesses, can continue to benefit from duty-free access to the UK market – saving exporters over KES 1.5bn (£10m) every year in duties on products such as green beans and cut flowers.

The agreement supports Kenya to grow its economy in a sustainable way, whilst providing UK businesses with increased trade opportunities. It secures jobs for Kenyans, whilst enhancing Kenya’s global competitiveness, trade capabilities, and ability to attract investment. The EPA has benefited approximately 2,500 UK businesses exporting goods to Kenya each year, providing frictionless trade. British companies in Kenya employ more than 250,000 Kenyans.

The UK is the first country outside of Africa to enter into a trade agreement with Kenya, the East African Community’s largest economy. UK-Kenya bilateral trade is already worth KES 167bn (£1.1bn) per annum, with capacity for significant growth.

The EPA supports the UK-Kenya Strategic partnership – an ambitious five-year agreement delivering mutual benefits for the UK and Kenya, including job creation and economic growth.

The agreement open to all Member States of the East African Community, one of the fastest growing regional economic blocs in the world.

As part of his visit to London, Cabinet Secretary Kuria will meet with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch.

The meeting is part of a chain of UK-Kenya engagements that are deepening economic ties between the two countries. Since COP27 in December 2022, when President William Ruto and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed to fast-track KES 500bn of investment, construction has begun at Nairobi Railway City, and Cabinet Secretary for Road, Transport and Public Works, Kipchuma Murkomen visited London King’s Cross Station – a UK example for Nairobi Railway City.

In addition, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited Kenya in 2022, announcing support for the African Development Fund (ADF) to help communities in Africa grow their economies, create jobs and improve healthcare.

UK High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott, said:

By meeting, as agreed, two years after the ratification of the EPA, the UK and Kenya are advancing our joint commitment to securing jobs for Kenyans and growing our economies – delivering mutual benefits for both our countries.

The UK and Kenya go far when we go together.