Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans he has to promote trade with other Commonwealth nations.

We already enjoy excellent trading relationships with our Commonwealth partners and we are committed to strengthening these further. In March 2017, the UK is co-hosting, with Malta, the inaugural Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ Meeting in London. This will be an excellent opportunity to promote greater trade and investment within the Commonwealth.

We will further strengthen our relations through bilateral engagement and the range of activities and support we offer globally such as trade fairs, events, missions, and bespoke support for individual businesses. In addition, UK Export Finance has significant appetite to help exporters win, fulfil and get paid for business in Commonwealth nations, and welcomes new applications for support.