International Trade Secretary has today [Monday 13
December] delivered a keynote speech outlining her plan
to position the UK at the centre of future global
growth opportunities in the Indo
Pacific, ahead of a five-star year for UK trade.
Speaking at the Asia House Global Trade Dialogue, the
International Trade Secretary set out the UK’s front-footed
approach to boosting trade with the region. She said:
“We know that the Indo-Pacific region is absolutely vital to
Britain’s future. It’s home to some of the world’s fastest
growing economies, and critical to Global Britain’s strategic,
economic, and security interests. The centre of economic gravity
is moving East.
“By 2030, ASEAN’s digital economy alone is projected to hit a
colossal $1 trillion, and 65 percent of the world’s middle-class
consumers are expected to be in Asia. This will drive global
demand for precisely the type of high-quality goods and services
in which the UK excels. So as we emerge from the economic
shock of the pandemic, we are seizing this pivotal moment
with both hands.”
The Trade Secretary went on to highlight Global Britain’s
ambitions for the year ahead:
“Next year will be a five-star year for the UK’s trade agenda, as
we look to begin formal negotiations on deals with Canada,
Mexico, the Gulf Cooperation Council and India. Our ambition
is to reach bilateral and multilateral deals with countries whose
trade was worth more than £140 billion last year.
“As an independent, free trading nation, the United Kingdom has a
once-in-a-lifetime chance to grasp new opportunities – with the
dynamic economies of South and South East Asia foremost amongst
these.
“This is a really ambitious goal that will put Global Britain in
pole position to pursue new opportunities, which will unleash
Britain’s potential to power our economic recovery, making our
businesses more dynamic, and levelling up our country as we build
back better from Covid-19.”
