A strategy to boost trade and investment into the UK’s premier position for maritime businesses was launched by International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, today (Tuesday 17 September).

The Maritime Trade and Investment Five Year Plan focuses on five key areas:

• Green maritime –UK companies are in a good position to provide technologies to the world’s fleets to meet new International Maritime Organization regulations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes companies supplying the innovative Silverstream air friction devices that improve the energy efficiency of ships and hybrid propulsion technologies or Windship which is working on augmenting engine propulsion with the wind.
• Digital technologies – making the sector a world-leader in digital technologies, including cyber security and the operation and connectivity of global commercial fleets.
• Autonomous vessels – as a market leader in small 24 metre and below designed surface and underwater autonomous vessels the UK is in the first wave of innovators in this area and can capitalise on our excellent track record in AI to scale up technology in autonomy at sea. Autonomous systems are also increasingly needed in vessels and ports.
• Marine science – promoting the UK’s capability in marine science will create opportunities for inward investment and collaborative partnerships and provide solutions to the challenges facing the global maritime community. One example of a newly UK constructed advanced scientific research vessel is the Sir David Attenborough.
• Maritime professional and business services – to encourage and help new exporters with market access, overcoming barriers to trade and market intelligence, as well as attract greater foreign direct investment into the sector.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss MP said:

The UK has a world-class reputation in maritime with a long history in shipping and great port cities up and down the country. Our Trade and Investment 5 Year Plan sets out how we can showcase this and our global capabilities in maritime technology, science and shipbuilding.

As an island nation, our oceans are a precious resource and shipping a vital economy. We are committed to working with coastal communities and the maritime sector to drive growth and make sure businesses are ready to trade on October 31.

A new Maritime Export and Investment advisory Group (MEIG), chaired by trade body Maritime UK, will also advise firms on industry trends, how to access support to take advantage of global opportunities and consult industry on the most critical market access challenges that the government can address.

Speaking about the announcement, Harry Theochari, Maritime UK’s Chair, said:

This plan will help us to enhance our competitiveness by boosting the export of our maritime products and services whilst attracting more investment into the country.

A key product of Maritime 2050 has been the establishment of Maritime Research and Innovation UK; the national collaborative research and innovation body for the sector. Its initial innovation focus on decarbonisation, digitisation and automation, mirrors those set out in this plan. That means we are properly joined up with the government- innovating the products and services the world needs, and then getting them to customers in markets across the world through the actions in this plan.

The maritime sector is one of Britain’s biggest industries, supporting almost £46.1bn in Gross Value Added (GVA) and more than one million jobs.

The Maritime Trade and Investment Five Year Plan is the next stage of the government’s export strategy to ensure the economy is fit for the future, which aims to raise exports as a percentage of GDP from 30% to 35%.

The announcement follows London International Shipping Week which showcases the opportunities for international businesses once the UK leaves the EU on October 31. It will help reinstate the UK’s position as a leader in maritime and provide an opportunity for businesses to build trading ties with important partners around the world.

Today (Tuesday 17 September), the second UK-Morocco Strategic Dialogue was held in Rabat, attended by Middle East Minister Dr Andrew Murrison and Trade Policy Minister Conor Burns. The session was opened by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and the Moroccan delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mounia Boucetta.

As well as reinforcing the growing importance of the UK-Morocco relationship, the Dialogue covered a broad range of topics, with discussions touching on the UK and Morocco’s political, economic, security and cultural relations.

Key announcements at this year’s Strategic Dialogue included proposals for the creation of a joint taskforce to explore how the UK and Morocco can increase investment in each other’s economies and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create the Joint UK-Morocco High Commission on Education.

This Commission will aim to strengthen higher education and scientific research links between Morocco and the UK by the end of 2023 by increasing the number of students travelling to each other’s countries to study, increasing access to UK teaching and qualifications in Morocco, and encouraging joint research projects to address key national and global challenges.

Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, Dr Andrew Murrison, said:

I was delighted to attend the second UK-Morocco Strategic Dialogue in Rabat this week. This important meeting demonstrates the depth and breadth of the friendship between the UK and Morocco.

As we prepare to leave the European Union, it’s vital we continue to work closely alongside our valued international partners. I look forward to seeing the UK’s relationship with Morocco go from strength to strength.

Ministers also noted the progress made since last year’s Strategic Dialogue in London, where the signing of the UK-Morocco Education Agreement was the first step towards the opening of the first British School in Marrakesh later this year, which will allow parents and children across Morocco to access high-quality British education.

Trade Policy Minister, Conor Burns said:

The UK and Morocco economies have a lot to offer one another, and today’s Strategic Dialogue clearly shows the growing opportunities for great British companies to do business in Morocco.

As we prepare to take back control of our trade policy, it is more important than ever that we maintain and grow this important trade partnership as well as continuing to promote UK expertise in sectors like education around the world.

Attendees also noted progress towards a new agreement between the UK and Morocco, which will replace the existing EU-Morocco free trade agreement once the UK leaves the EU and allow businesses to continue trading freely.

Ministers also discussed the Africa Investment Summit, to be held in London on 20 January 2020, at which Morocco will be represented.

Forthcoming military cooperation includes a joint military exercise in October, while cultural exchanges will continue over the coming months, with the first ever visit to Africa of the Royal Household Cavalry for the Salon du Cheval; the presence of the British Showjumping team at the Maroc Royal tour; and the Welsh National Opera’s first visit to Morocco in December.

Further information

Medicine quality is receiving a major boost with the implementation of activities surrounding the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s Strategy for Pharmacopoeial Public Quality Standards for Biological Medicines.

In October 2017, the Agency adopted the strategy in response to extensive feedback received through a public consultation, which was opened in January of the same year.

The quality of biological medicines is an increasingly important part of healthcare worldwide and is critical to delivering effective public health. These standards, regulated by the Agency, help make sure biological medicines are of acceptable quality for use by patients.

Released today, the Public update: 2019 looks at:

• The importance of quality, innovation and life sciences and the foundational position of standards in supporting innovation;
• The progress made implementing the strategy in terms of standards development, innovative product development, customer and stakeholder engagements; and
• The next 12 months with a continued focus on standards development, engaging customers and stakeholders and collaboration with international peers.

The strategy recognises the importance of standards and the huge value they bring to the quality of innovative products.

Collaboration has been key to the progression of the strategy, bringing together all arms of the Agency, while reaching out to the BioIndustry Association (BIA), the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, broader pharmaceutical industry, regulators and pharmacopoeias globally.

Customers, partners and stakeholders can find out more about the development and implementation of the strategy by emailing BiolStandards@mhra.gov.uk.