Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether procurement processes for the provision of equipment for Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 will be open to UK businesses.
Answered by Graham Stuart
My Department has developed strong relationships with the Organising Committees for Tokyo 2020 (TOCOG) and Paris 2024, and has consistently promoted UK strengths in the Sports Economy sector, via inward and outward missions, one-to-one meetings, events and marketing collateral.
The responsibility for how specific contracts are tendered and awarded for Olympic and Paralympic Games lies solely with each local Organising Committee. HMG has encouraged both Organising Committees to utilise international best practice. Tokyo 2020 has a procurement portal listing upcoming contracts, which is fully accessible to UK companies.
All tenders for the Paris 2024 Games will be published on the “Bulletin Officiel”, the official platform for public procurement in France. This platform is open to companies globally, and UK companies can freely bid for tenders. DIT are working closely with our colleagues in France to ensure relevant opportunities for these games are directed towards potential UK suppliers.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department has taken to promote UK businesses for the award of Olympic Games contracts.
Answered by Graham Stuart
My Department has developed strong relationships with the Organising Committees for Tokyo 2020 (TOCOG) and Paris 2024, and has consistently promoted UK strengths in the Sports Economy sector, via inward and outward missions, one-to-one meetings, events and marketing collateral.
The responsibility for how specific contracts are tendered and awarded for Olympic and Paralympic Games lies solely with each local Organising Committee. HMG has encouraged both Organising Committees to utilise international best practice. Tokyo 2020 has a procurement portal listing upcoming contracts, which is fully accessible to UK companies.
All tenders for the Paris 2024 Games will be published on the “Bulletin Officiel”, the official platform for public procurement in France. This platform is open to companies globally, and UK companies can freely bid for tenders. DIT are working closely with our colleagues in France to ensure relevant opportunities for these games are directed towards potential UK suppliers.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the Government has received assurances that UK businesses will be able to tender for the provision of clay pigeon shooting traps for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and for Paris 2024.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Tenders for the Tokyo 2020 Games and responsibility for how contracts are procured lies with the local Organising Committee. UK companies can access tenders for the Games via the Procurement Portal - tokyo2020.org/en/organising-committee/procurement/
All tenders for the Paris 2024 Games will be published on the “Bulletin Officiel”, the official platform for public procurement in France and UK companies can freely bid for tenders.
The British Embassies in Tokyo and Paris can assist companies in identifying specific tenders when available on the procurement website.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what guarantees of financial stability are required from firms tendering to supply sports equipment for Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
Answered by Graham Stuart
There has been no consistent requirement regarding the financial status of companies for Tokyo 2020 contracts. It has been on a tender-by-tender basis. Tenders can be accessed via: www.tokyo2020.org/en/organising-committee/procurement/
Procurement is still at a very early stage with regards to Paris 2024. Procurement opportunities, outside of infrastructure, will accelerate after Tokyo 2020. We will then have more of an understanding around what guarantees of financial stability are required.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he plans to make increased trade with Indonesia conditional on the removal of virginity tests for women applying to the Indonesian military.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The UK has a strong history of protecting human rights and promoting our values globally. We were the first country to produce a National Action Plan to implement UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. We will continue to encourage all states to uphold international human rights obligations.
As we develop our independent trade policy, we recognise the need to maximise benefits of trade whilst staying true to our values.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he has taken to negotiate a free trade deal with Honduras.
Answered by George Hollingbery
As we leave the EU, the Government is seeking to replicate the effects of the EU’s existing trade agreement with Central America, which includes Honduras. We are working together with Central American partners to ensure that we are prepared for all possible scenarios.
Discussions are on-going and the Government will inform Parliament as soon as our discussions have concluded, ahead of ratification.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what progress he has made in negotiating a free trade deal with Israel.
Answered by George Hollingbery
On 18th February 2019, the Secretary of State for International Trade signed the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement, which ensures continuity in our trade and investment relationship after the proposed Implementation Period, or if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. Securing continuity is the strongest foundation on which to build further on our successful trading relationship.
The UK is committed to strengthening our excellent bilateral relationship through the dedicated trade promotion team at our Embassy in Tel-Aviv. We continue to engage with the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry and liaise with the government to maximise future trade opportunities.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he has taken to negotiate a free trade deal with Malawi after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act 2018 enables the UK to put in place a trade preferences scheme for developing countries that maintains duty-free, quota-free access to Least Developed Countries, including Malawi.
The UK has signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with Eastern and Southern Africa States (ESA). As Malawi has not acceded to the ESA-EU EPA it is not party to the transitioned UK EPA although it is eligible to do so in the future.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what progress has he made on strengthening the trade relationship with Togo after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
Draft Answer
As the Prime Minister set out during her visit to Africa last Summer, which I accompanied her on, the Government is committed to advancing our trade relationship with Africa. DIT has set up the Africa Trade Services Unit to act as the single point of contact for UK companies exporting to Africa. The Unit responds to all Africa trade enquiries, including those related to Togo to improve companies’ trading capabilities and promote trade.
The Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act 2018 enables the UK to put in place a trade preferences scheme for developing countries that maintains duty-free, quota-free access to Least Developed Countries, including Togo.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he is taking to support free trade between the UK and Jamaica.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The UK signed the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Jamaica on 22 March 2019. This will provide continuity for businesses, exporters and consumers as the UK prepares to leave the EU.
The UK is currently designing a package of funding to help businesses in Jamaica to take full advantage of the market access granted by the EPA.