Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to his Department's news story of 9 January 2017, what criteria his Department used to determine which countries were included in the priority markets for growing UK trade.

The Department for International Trade has a rigorous framework for analysing where Government interventions can add the most value for the benefit of the whole of the UK, and we target our effort in those areas. This includes where we can most effectively support businesses.

We currently have 200 priority areas for export promotion, known as 'High Value Campaigns'. The High Value Campaigns take a market/sector approach and are determined by considering the forecast value of exports that will be won with Government support over a rolling five year period. The process takes place annually.