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 promote free trade with Mali after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
As the Prime Minister set out during her visit to Africa last Summer, 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 Mali 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 Mali.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps he has taken to promote bilateral free trade with Dominic Republic after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Graham Stuart
On 4 April, the UK signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with CARIFORUM States, including the Dominican Republic. 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 the Caribbean to take full advantage of the market access granted by the EPA.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps he has taken to promote bilateral free trade with Ethiopian after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Graham Stuart
As the Prime Minister set out during her visit to Africa last Summerthe Government is committed to advancing our trade relationship with Africa. My Hon. Friend for Stafford, appointed as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ethiopia in 2016, has taken steps to develop a strong bilateral trading relationship. 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 Ethiopia 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 Ethiopia.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps he has taken to promote bilateral free trade with Guyana after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Graham Stuart
On 22 March, the UK signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with CARIFORUM States, including Guyana. 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 the Caribbean to take full advantage of the market access granted by the EPA.
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 been made towards achieving a free trade deal with Djibouti 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 the same level of access as the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences. The UK trade preference scheme will grant duty-free, quota-free access to Least Developed Countries, including Djibouti, upholding a target in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The UK has signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with Eastern and Southern Africa States (ESA). As Djibouti has not signed the ESA-EU EPA it is not party to the transitioned UK EPA although it is eligible to accede 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, whether he has made progress on rolling over the existing EU trade agreement with Serbia.
Answered by George Hollingbery
We continue to engage with Serbia on replicating the effects of the existing EU trade agreement. Both the UK and Serbia remain committed to concluding a new partnership, trade & cooperation agreement as soon as possible. We are working together to ensure we are prepared for all possible scenarios.
The Government will inform the Parliament as soon as our discussions have concluded.
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 been made towards negotiating a trade deal with Burkina Faso 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 the same level of access as the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences. The UK trade preference scheme will grant duty-free, quota-free access to Least Developed Countries, including Burkina Faso, upholding a target in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Currently the trade agreement between the EU and 16 West African States, including Burkina Faso, has not been signed by all of the West African states and is therefore not in force. Should this change, the UK would look to transition the agreement.
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 is taking to increase trade opportunities with Anglosphere countries.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Department for International Trade is committed to building and enhancing our relationships across the world as part of our global Britain agenda. We have consulted on potential FTAs with the USA, Australia, New Zealand and accession to the CPTPP.
Fulfilling a 2017 manifesto commitment my Department appointed Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioners (HMTCs) based in 9 overseas regions which between them cover all anglosphere countries. Each HMTC is responsible for delivering a Regional Trade Plan which includes specific reference to growing UK exports to those regions and to opening markets globally.
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 promote free trade with Azerbaijan after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The Department for International Trade is working to strengthen the UK’s trade and investment relationships with countries such as Azerbaijan and Armenia as we negotiate our exit from the EU. The UK is seeking continuity of existing trade arrangements with Azerbaijan and Armenia by replicating the effects of the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership & Cooperation Agreements and EU-Armenia Comprehensive & Enhanced Partnership Agreement when we leave the EU.
On 3 April 2018, Judith Slater was appointed as Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia to improve trade and collaboration with countries in this region, including Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Prime Minister has also appointed Trade Envoys to promote bilateral trade and investment in this region, including my Honourable friend the Member for Wrekin for Armenia and Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne for Azerbaijan.
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 promote free trade with Armenia after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The Department for International Trade is working to strengthen the UK’s trade and investment relationships with countries such as Azerbaijan and Armenia as we negotiate our exit from the EU. The UK is seeking continuity of existing trade arrangements with Azerbaijan and Armenia by replicating the effects of the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership & Cooperation Agreements and EU-Armenia Comprehensive & Enhanced Partnership Agreement when we leave the EU.
On 3 April 2018, Judith Slater was appointed as Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia to improve trade and collaboration with countries in this region, including Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Prime Minister has also appointed Trade Envoys to promote bilateral trade and investment in this region, including my Honourable friend the Member for Wrekin for Armenia and Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne for Azerbaijan.