Launched on 21 August by the Department for International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox, the export strategy sets out the Government’s long-term ambition to increase total exports as a proportion of GDP from 30% to 35%. The strategy aims to encourage more businesses to export, providing businesses with advice and practical assistance on exporting and working with large companies to help build the capability of UK supply chains, and connect UK businesses to overseas buyers and markets.
BPA’s chief executive, Richard Ballantyne, said that while the UK was an import driven economy, there are “real opportunities to increase exports to Europe and beyond.”
Support essential
He stressed: “Ports are certainly ready to help facilitate the Government’s aims. Ports are vital to trade and it is essential that they are given the right economic and regulatory conditions to grow and develop to make trading easier and more efficient.”
The BPA is working with industry partners in Maritime UK to ensure that ports are included in the UK industrial strategy. It is also in talks with the Department for International Trade about the value of ports to supply chains and trade.
A spokesperson for ABP said: “ABP welcomes and supports the Government’s initiatives to boost UK exports. As the UK’s leading operator with 21 ports around the UK, including Britain’s No.1 export port in Southampton, ABP is committed to investing in the best infrastructure and skills to help UK trade flow and grow.”
Tim Morris, CEO of the UKMPG, commented “We very much welcome the Government’s trade strategy. One of the benefits of the Brexit debate, regardless of your views on EU membership, has been that international trade is now much higher up the political agenda.
“International trade boosts our key industries, brings choice and affordability to consumers and investment and jobs to coastal communities. And as an island nation ports are crucial to making this trade happen. Accordingly, UKMPG would like to see the Government take a pro trade agenda further – for example, through establishing a pro trade Cabinet committee, undertaking a ‘trade first’ review of regulation and looking at transformational initiatives to boost the benefits of trade like Free Ports.”