Witham MP chairs meeting for Essex businesses on International Trade
Witham MP, Priti Patel, chaired a meeting of the Essex Chambers of Commerce International Trade Forum on Monday evening [4 June 2018] with guest speaker Greg Hands MP, the Minister of State for Trade Policy.
The meeting was well attended by a number of Essex businesses and the Minister provided an update about the Government’s position on trade policy and future plans for trade when the UK leaves the European Union.
Speaking after the meeting, Ms Patel said:
“I was delighted to chair this meeting and I am grateful to the Minister for attending to outline the Government’s position on trade policy.
“This meeting was an opportunity to ensure that the voices of our great businesses in Essex are heard by the Government. Given our strategic location, with ports and airports, Essex is in a prime location to lead Britain in establishing future trade, investment and export opportunities as we leave the EU.
“We had an engaging discussion about post-Brexit trade opportunities and it was helpful to hear from Greg Hands about the support businesses can get from the Department for International Trade if they wish to export goods and services. Businesses from Essex already have a great record seeking out new trading links and I hope this meeting will help encourage them to export more.”
Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of the Essex Chambers of Commerce, said:
“I was delighted to be able to welcome the Minister of State for Trade Policy, the Rt Hon Greg Hands MP, to give Chamber members an update on the Government’s work in developing export opportunities post Brexit. It was a really positive meeting with the Minister hearing first hand from Essex businesses about some of the issues they face on a day to day basis in trading overseas. I am grateful to the Rt Hon Priti Patel MP for hosting the Forum and look forward to further meetings with other Ministers later in the year.”
The meeting was the latest in a regular series held as part of the Essex International Trade Forum and the Essex Business, Transport and Infrastructure Forum.
Top Image: From Left to Right:
Priti Patel MP, Chloe Westley (Campaign Manager, TaxPayers’ Alliance), David Burch (Director of Policy – Essex Chambers of Commerce), Jane Rose (Head of International Trade – Essex Chambers of Commerce), Denise Rossiter (Chief Executive – Essex Chambers of Commerce) and Greg Hands MP (Minister of State for Trade Policy at Department for International Trade).
