Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the UK increases levels of trade with the BRIC countries.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) advises UK businesses considering Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) markets, and established UK investors in BRIC countries, alongside our strategic business delivery partners such as the British Chamber of Commerce.

DIT offers businesses a range of practical support, including local introductions and sector-specific guidance, political and economic briefings, and business events.

Government-to-government instruments, such as Joint Trade Reviews and Joint Economic and Trade Commissions (JETCOs), deepen our trading relationships with BRIC partners. DIT held JETCOs with India and Brazil this year and will hold one with China this summer.

General guidance on accessing DIT support is available on the .gov websites: www.gov.uk and www.great.gov.uk.