The Department for International Trade is hosting a virtual
roadshow to help businesses across the UK identify new export and
investment opportunities in the Latin America and Caribbean
(LATAC) region. The LATAC Roadshow is being held between 1-4
March.
Her Majesty’s recently appointed Trade Commissioner for LATAC,
Jonathan Knott, and DIT’s team of experts will join businesses
from the region for virtual workshops, panels and one-to-one
meetings throughout the day.
These events will provide businesses with insight into the latest
exporting opportunities in vibrant markets such as Argentina,
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru.
Sessions will cover a range of topics including clean growth and
renewable energy, healthcare, agriculture and financial services.
Businesses will also hear first-hand about the experiences of
companies already successfully exporting to LATAC, including
Weston’s Cider and AB Europe.
Total trade between the UK and LATAC was £26.3 billion in the
year to Q3 2020, with exports totalling £15.7 billion. Brazil was
the largest trading partner accounting for over 20% of all trade.
With the UK also seeking membership to the Trans-Pacific
Partnership (CPTPP), these ties are expected to grow as it looks
to deepen trading links with markets including Mexico, Chile and
Peru.
Minister for Exports will be joining a panel session on Clean Growth to
discuss the UK’s ambitions on tackling climate change and the
opportunities for UK businesses to export more green goods and
services to the region.
Minister for Exports said:
“I’m delighted to join this year’s virtual trade mission to
discuss the wealth of opportunity available to UK businesses to
export more environmental goods and services to the Latin America
and Caribbean region.
“Tackling climate change is a top priority for the UK. As world
leaders in areas including offshore wind, green finance, and
sustainable construction, and as hosts of the upcoming COP26
summit, we are uniquely placed to work with partners across the
region to help businesses build back better and greener from the
impacts of the pandemic.”
Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the
Caribbean Jonathan Knott said:
“Our Latin America and Caribbean Business Roadshow will
demonstrate the breadth of opportunities available to UK
businesses, large and small, and encourage them to take full
advantage of the business potential in this exciting and dynamic
part of the world.
“We are determined to do all we can to support our brilliant UK
businesses and grow UK exports to the region, particularly as we
look to recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. From
life sciences to food and drink, there is a wealth of opportunity
for businesses across the LATAC region, and I’d urge any business
interested in beginning their exporting journey to get in touch
with us. We can help you win contracts and grow.”
One business attending the Roadshow is Weston’s Cider, a 4th
generation, family run cider maker from Herefordshire, England.
Established in 1880, the company presses its own local fruit and
has one of the largest collection of cider vats in the UK.
Luke Padgett, Export Country Manager, Weston’s Cider said:
“Focussed on innovation, organic and traditional techniques we
take pride in every drop. Our desire is to continue that vision
and introduce our award winning, premium, category leading ciders
across the emerging LATAC region, expanding on our growing Export
portfolio.”
Home to over 650 million people, LATAC covers 48 countries and
territories with a growing middle-class population, meaning there
is increased opportunity for British businesses to provide
high-quality goods and services across the region. The UK has so
far secured 5 trade continuity agreements with 24 countries in
the region.
