Number 10 hosts business leaders for post-Brexit trade talks
Number 10 held discussions with a host of business leaders this morning to discuss trade after Brexit.
The UK is reportedly planning to launch trade missions to the US, China, India and Commonwealth nations as it prepares to leave the EU after last week’s vote.
BP’s Bob Dudley, easyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall and others from the Prime Minister’s 19-person business advisory group were among those in attendance at the meeting.
Read more: Trade groups call for taskforce to safeguard UK’s Brexit negotiations
The group discussed international trade, their market priorities and future opportunities to boost exports and investment activity.
Chancellor George Osborne and business secretary Sajid Javid were also present, the FT reported, with the atmosphere being described as one of “people in mourning”.
Politicians from the United States, Australia and New Zealand have all spoken about the importance of securing new arrangements with the UK as it prepares for Brexit.
Also today, Department of Business Innovation and Skills announced the launch of a new business engagement inter-ministerial group, chaired by Javid, to “coordinate engagement with the business community”. The group will first meet next week and will feed into the Cabinet Office’s EU Referendum Unit.
Read more: US, Australia and New Zealand politicians push for post-Brexit trade deals
Javid said: “Now more than ever, businesses need certainty so it’s vital that the government maintains an open and continuous dialogue. We must work together to make sure the world knows that the UK is still open for business and remains an attractive place with which to trade and invest.
“Working with ministers across government, I will make sure businesses have the information they need and work with them to identify opportunities as they open up.”
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