Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he is taking to tackle the reduction in the UK exports of goods and services to Switzerland.

Switzerland, as the UK’s 10^th largest trading partner and accounting for 2.3% of total UK trade, remains a crucial market for UK goods and services. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Switzerland has averaged £31.6 billion over the last five years.

Similarly, Switzerland has been open about its desire to maintain a close relationship as the UK leaves the EU. In response, my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade signed the UK-Switzerland Trade Agreement on the 11th February in Berne which will serve as the basis for future economic and trade relations between Switzerland and the UK. The Trade Agreement allows businesses to continue freely trading between the two countries and will function in both deal and no deal EU Exit scenarios.

In August 2018, the Secretary of State launched the Export Strategy, the government’s plan to increase UK total exports as a proportion of GDP to 35% and make Britain a 21st century exporting superpower. The Export Strategy will encourage and inspire more businesses to export; inform businesses by providing practical assistance on exporting; connect UK businesses to overseas buyers and opportunities; and help provide finance through UKEF to enhance the HMG offer to UK exporters.