Prime Minister announces trade envoys
David Cameron has announced an £8m pilot scheme to bolster the influence of UK trade bodies abroad.
Eight Prime Minister’s trade envoys have been appointed to promote UK businesses in 20 emerging markets, and will aim to strengthen the capacity of overseas business groups such as chambers of commerce.
This is part of a plan to double UK exports to £1 trillion by 2020. Targeting exports to emerging markets could add £20bn to GDP according to the CBI.
“We need to show the world at every opportunity this country’s great creativity and dynamism if we are going to win this global race for jobs, trade and investment,” said Mr Cameron.
Trade envoys will perform the role Mr Cameron has been performing himself of late. Namely, leading trade delegates and raising the profile of British exporters in key sectors across the globe.
Who are the envoys?
The eight trade envoys are as follows:
- Baroness Bonham Carter of Yarnbury: Mexico
- Baroness Morris of Bolton: Jordan, Kuwait, Palestinian Territories
- Lord Puttnam of Queensgate: Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia
- Lord Risby of Haverhill: Algeria
- Baroness Scotland of Asthal: South Africa
- Lord Sharman of Redlynch: Morocco
- Charles Hendry MP: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan
- Richard Graham MP: Indonesia.
The network of trade envoys will be chaired by Lord Jonathan Marland and will complement existing initiatives, including the Business Ambassadors Network and the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group.
New unit in UKTI
A new unit has been set up within UKTI to see the project through its first phase and will build on discussions across a range of business bodies such as:
- British Chambers of Commerce
- Confederation of British Industry
- Institute of Directors
- Engineering Employers Federation
- Federation of Small Businesses.
The aim is to make the experience of growing and expanding into overseas markets simpler and more seamless for UK business.
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