Minister questioned on work of Department for International Trade
1 November 2017
The International Trade Committee questions the Secretary of State for International Trade, Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, on the overall strategy for developing an independent trade policy, as well as the Department's progress on its objectives since the election.
- Watch Parliament TV: The work of the Department for International Trade
- Inquiry: The work of the Department for International Trade
- International Trade Committee
Witnesses
Wednesday 1 November, Committee Room 6, House of Commons
At 10.00am
- Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade
- Antonia Romeo, Permanent Secretary, Department for International Trade
- Crawford Falconer, Second Permanent Secretary and Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser, Department for International Trade
Purpose of the session
A primary role of the Department is to strike new trade deals across the globe. With formal talks on free trade agreements yet to begin, the Committee will investigate how the Department plans to prioritise these deals, and what it has achieved so far in its discussions to scope new agreements.
As a member of the EU, the UK is also currently party to free trade agreements with 60 non-member countries. Ministers have indicated that these will ‘roll over' and that achieving this is one of their top priorities. The session will consider how close the Department is to securing its aim and what practical obstacles stand in its way.
In addition to understanding the work being done to open up new markets for UK businesses, the Committee will examine the quality of support provided to UK businesses to exploit export opportunities. How do initiatives such as the GREAT campaign help companies of all sizes to find new markets?
Further information
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