International Trade Minister Baroness is visiting South Korea and
Vietnam from July 4th, to support British businesses and build on
surging global trade relations to create further export
opportunities as we leave the EU.
will visit Seoul to
celebrate the UK’s world-class tech industry at the 4IR
Conference; promoting UK skills in new growth sectors including
AI, smart cities, digital health and connected cars. The
conference will also allow future opportunities for collaboration
and the development of innovative technologies, creating jobs in
both countries.
In Vietnam, Minister Fairhead will be driving forward English
education in the country, signing a Memorandum of Understanding
after meeting with Professor Phung Xuan Nha, Vietnam’s Minister
of Education and Training. This will showcase the UK’s world
leading capacity for English teaching and learning, supporting
Vietnam in meeting its ambitious goals in developing the English
language nationwide.
Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion, , said:
I am delighted to be visiting South Korea and Vietnam, 2 proud
nations which in recent years have seen trade relations surge
with the UK. I want to make clear that there are many more
opportunities for UK businesses to export and increase
bilateral trade which, in turn, will create mutual prosperity,
growth and jobs.
Last year, UK global exports rose 9.2% to £628.8 billion,
highlighting the success the Made in Britain brand has enjoyed
across Asia and other fast-growing parts of the world.
Almost 25,000 UK businesses export to the ASEAN-4
(Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam) alone — making the
grouping the UK’s second-largest global export destination, after
the United States. The minister will be meeting with senior
business leaders to highlight the many opportunities for
increased trade between the UK and ASEAN.
Britain and Korea are 2 of the most business-friendly nations on
earth and already enjoy a fruitful commercial relationship. The
UK is Korea’s fifth largest foreign direct investor, and more
companies than ever are keen to expand their operations and
invest in Korea. Trade in goods and services between the UK and
Korea increased almost 65% to £11.1 billion since the EU-Korea
FTA came into effect in 2011.
