Tag Archives: HM Government

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, has unveiled a series of new commercial agreements with Brazil today, on day one of his visit to showcase British business and deepen trade and economic ties with Latin America’s biggest economies.

Leading a business delegation including the London Stock Exchange, the Green Investment Bank and Crossrail International, the Chancellor is in Brasilia for the second UK-Brazil Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD). He is accompanied by City Minister, Stephen Barclay MP, and Trade Minister, Mark Garnier MP.

He will then meet investors and launch the UK-Brazil Green Finance Partnership in Sao Paolo, before travelling to Buenos Aires – the most senior ministerial visit to Argentina in sixteen years.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Phillip Hammond said:

The UK has always been a global leader, and I am here to showcase our successful businesses and keep strengthening our links with dynamic, growing economies around the world.

Today’s dialogue has created exciting new opportunities for partnership between the UK and Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy. I am very pleased to be accompanied by executives from some great British companies with world-leading expertise, to help facilitate deeper economic and trade links between our two countries.

Trade Minister, Mark Garnier MP said:

Brazil remains our top trading partner in Latin America and this dialogue has reinforced the strong ties that already exist between our two nations.

As we prepare to leave the EU, we will continue to ensure our businesses seize the global demand for British goods and services. As part of this we are deepening our collaboration with Brazil through UK Export Finance support and new infrastructure, healthcare and green finance projects to maximise future trade opportunities.

The visit showcases UK expertise in infrastructure, green finance and pharmaceuticals –developing opportunities for the UK and Brazil to work together. Deals concluded at today’s dialogue include:

• UK Export Finance support available for trade with Brazil to double to up to £3 billion, meaning an additional £1.5 billion in support for UK companies exporting to Brazil and for Brazilian buyers of UK goods and services
• UK based healthcare provider, GP Laboratories to export £11 million of pharmaceuticals to Brazil over the next five years
• Brazilian Granito Group to base their new global headquarters for their global investment bank, Granito & Capital in London
• new UK-Brazil Partnership on Green Finance, to be supported by City of London Green Finance Initiative and Brazil Council for Sustainable Market Development

This EFD builds on the success of the inaugural UK-Brazil EFD in October 2015 and on the prosperity agenda being led by the British Embassy in Brazil. The UK also holds EFDs with China and India.

In the last four years the number of Brazilian companies established in the UK has grown by 30%, generating over 600 new jobs. In 2015 the UK exported just over £4 billion of goods and services to Brazil, with £2 billion of these supported by the UK government.

The Chancellor will then travel to Argentina, meeting the President and senior ministers, and visiting British and Argentine business that are driving trade and investment between the two countries, including in Argentina’s important agribusiness sector.

I summoned the North Korean Ambassador to the Foreign Office and made clear how strongly the UK condemns the regime’s launch of a second intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday 28 July.

Once again, North Korea’s actions directly violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions and threaten international security. “The UK will work with our partners and allies to tackle this threat.

I call on the regime to stop its dangerous activity, change its course and concentrate on its people’s welfare rather than illegally pursuing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Minister Robin Walker has visited fishermen, farmers and businesses across the South West as part of the Government’s ongoing engagement with businesses across the country on the UK’s exit from the EU.

During his tour of the area, the Minister met representatives from some of the region’s key sectors, which are at the very heart of its thriving economy.

At Poole Harbour, he held a roundtable with leaders from the fisheries, ports and tourism sectors and took a tour around the harbour, before speaking with farmers from the NFU’s South West branch in Exeter.

The Minister went on to learn more about the region’s booming tech industry, taking a tour of the Innovation Centre at Exeter University and meeting tech company CrowdCube – a leading investment crowdfunding platform.

UK Government Minister for Exiting the EU, Robin Walker, said:

I was very pleased to meet some of the people involved in many of the South West’s key sectors, including tourism, fishing and agriculture, and tech today. These sectors are the beating heart of this region’s economy and make a significant contribution to the UK economy as a whole.

Hearing the views of the people of the South West will help us ensure we embrace the significant opportunities our EU exit presents and fully address the challenges it poses to different parts of the country.

Today’s visit is part of an extensive programme of engagement with businesses across the whole of the UK.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire MP held the latest meeting of his Business Advisory Group at Stormont House today – and urged the business leaders to continue adding their voices to the growing demand for a return of the devolved power sharing government.

The session was the latest in a series of meetings to help businesses engage with UK Government and provide input on a range of strategic economic and business critical issues facing Northern Ireland, including developing skills, upgrading infrastructure, improving procurement and delivering affordable energy and clean growth.

Speaking after the meeting, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:

“I urged members to keep using their influence to encourage political parties to deliver a functioning and effective Executive so we can continue to build an economy that works for everyone.

“Political stability is a fundamental basis for industrial success. Securing stable devolved institutions in Northern Ireland that will provide leadership, support innovation and boost skills will be integral to delivering on Northern Ireland’s potential as a place to invest and do business.

“l will continue to engage with political and business leaders and community groups to ensure that Northern Ireland’s interests are fully represented in EU exit negotiations. I genuinely believe the talent, resilience and global outlook of the business community in Northern Ireland presents positive opportunities for Northern Ireland’s future.”

The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt arrives in Algeria today (Monday 31 July) for the first stage of a three country trip that will also include Tunisia and Iran.

In Algeria he will meet with the Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune and other senior ministers. Libya and regional security issues will be a major focus, but the visit will also be an opportunity to discuss a range of bilateral issues – including trade. UK exports to Algeria increased by 24 per cent in 2016.

The Minister arrives in Tunisia on Wednesday 2 August for a two day visit that will include a meeting with Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui.

This will be the first ministerial visit to Tunisia since the UK changed its travel advice last week. Having carefully reviewed conditions in Tunisia, including the threat from terrorism and improvements by the Tunisian security forces, the Government no longer advises against travel to most of the country, including Tunis and the major tourist destinations. Talks will cover counterterrorism cooperation, UK support to improve the Tunisian security situation and drive economic reforms, tourism and boosting trade.

The Minister arrives in Iran on Friday 4 August and will attend the official swearing in ceremony of the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday 5 August. The Minister will have talks with senior politicians on a range of bilateral and regional issues, including our dual national detainees.

On Algeria Minister Burt said:

The UK is committed to a close relationship with Algeria and I’m excited to be visiting the country again. The partnership between our two countries in areas such as security and trade is getting stronger by the day. British businesses are thriving in many sectors – helping to build the new airport, invest in Algeria’s agricultural sector and improve English language teaching.

On Tunisia Minister Burt said:

The UK is a strong partner and friend of Tunisia and I look forward to continuing our close work on security, counterterrorism, reforming the economy and trade. After a careful and thorough review we decided to no longer advise against travel to Tunisia. This is partly due to the security improvements that the Tunisian authorities have made. It is vital that our good cooperation on security matters continues and that we work together to consolidate the progress that has been made.

On Iran Minster Burt said:

I look forward to representing the UK at President Rouhani’s swearing-in ceremony, on my first visit to Iran. We hope to build further on improving UK-Iran relations during President Rouhani’s second term.

The President’s personal commitment to the nuclear deal is welcome and it is vital both our countries work closely together to ensure the deal continues to be successfully implemented. We are also keen to maintain dialogue on Iran’s regional policies, human rights and particularly our dual national detainees. Progress in all of these areas is important to the UK.

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