Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if he will initiate a commonwealth trade conference with the objective of increasing intra-commonwealth trade after the UK leaves the EU.

In March this year my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade hosted the inaugural Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting in London – bringing together politicians, officials and policy makers from over 20 commonwealth nations.

In addition, he will be hosting a commonwealth reception as part of this year’s WTO Ministerial Meeting in Buenos Aires.

As the host of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in April 2018, and the Chair of the Commonwealth from April 2018-2020, HMG is committed to highlighting the value of and increasing intra-Commonwealth trade. During GHOGM, businesses from across the Commonwealth will meet in a three-day Commonwealth Business Forum that will see a diverse range of sectors represented. This event will help us to promote our vision for a Global Britain as well as to celebrate and grow intra-Commonwealth trade.