Total trade between the United Kingdom and Tunisia was £506m in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2020, with a surplus to the United Kingdom of £38m. At the end of the transition period, we brought into effect the United Kingdom-Tunisia Association Agreement, which secures preferential bilateral trading arrangements, allowing British and Tunisian businesses and consumers to benefit from continued preferential access to each market. Looking ahead, this agreement is a clear signal of our enduring commitment to our close bilateral relationship with Tunisia and will help strengthen trade and investment ties in the future.

The UK has a strong and growing trading relationship with Mexico. According to latest ONS data, the total bilateral trade in goods and services between the UK and Mexico in 2018 totalled £4.4bn, a 37.1% increase since 2013. We also have a strong working relationship with the Mexican government, as evidenced by the 2010 Canning Agenda, the State Visit in 2015 and the 2015 Dual Year. We expect this positive trend to continue in the future.

For items that require an export licence, the Government publishes Official Statistics (on a quarterly and annual basis) detailing licences granted and refused for exports on GOV.UK:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data

Export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all prevailing circumstances at the time of the application.

For materials and software that are not controlled we do not hold records of the amounts exported specifically to the Egyptian police and internal security forces.

There is a clear potential for UK companies in Brazil with the world’s 5th largest population and the 9th largest economy (by GDP).

Total UK-Brazil trade reached £5.5 billion in 2017. Brazil is the largest destination of UK exports and the largest receiver of UK investment in Latin America. The new Bolsonaro government has stated ambitions around economic reform and leaving the EU will allow the UK to take advantage of the growing parts of the world economy, including South America. UK Export Finance has significant capacity to support UK exports to Brazil.

My Rt Hon Friend for Hertford and Stortford (Mark Prisk MP) was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Brazil in 2016 to promote further bilateral trade and investment. The UK and Brazil also have a number of bilateral dialogues including the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO). During the 10th edition held in London last year, chaired by my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade, Brazil and the UK reaffirmed their commitment to exploring means to deepen future UK-Brazil trade and investment relations. This has been formalised through the Joint Trade Review, examining the business environment and market access issues so as to identify ways to increase opportunities for firms from both countries. Last year, the Secretary of State also appointed the first HM Trade Commissioner to Latin America, responsible for championing trade between the UK and Latin America.

This is an exciting time in UK-Argentine relations. The Prime Minister was warmly received at the G20 in Buenos Aires in December. Leaving the EU will allow the UK to take advantage of the growing parts of the world economy, including South America.

UK market share in Argentina is less than 1% (0.8%) for goods and just over 2% (2.1%) for services. There is therefore great potential for growth in the UK-Argentine trade and investment relationship and we are working to support UK companies to reclaim their position as one of Argentina’s pre-eminent business partners.

Last year, my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade appointed the first HM Trade Commissioner to Latin America, responsible for championing trade between the UK and Latin America. In addition, my Hon Friend for Fylde (Mark Menzies MP) was announced as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Argentina in December and is already working to promote further bilateral trade and investment. We also have a UK-Argentine Commercial Dialogue, agreed with the Argentine Commerce Ministry last year and chaired by my Hon Friend the Minister of State for Investment (Graham Stuart).

UK Export Finance has significant capacity to support UK exports to Argentina.

Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and has sustained strong and consistent growth for 14 years. The trading relationship between the UK and Ethiopia is currently worth £699m per annum.

In Ethiopia the Government is promoting bilateral trading opportunities in a number of industries, including aerospace, infrastructure and renewable-energy.

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade has recently appointed the first HM Trade Commissioner to Africa, who champions trade between the UK and the continent. In addition, my hon Friend for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy MP) is the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy and has visited Ethiopia 5 times to promote UK trade and investment to the country.

Supporting businesses to invest overseas and reach their full potential is an important priority for the Department as we strive to create a global and outward-looking economy. We realise that business continuity and business security also need to be addressed.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) advises UK businesses considering entering the Turkish market, and established UK investors in Turkey, on an individual basis, alongside our strategic business delivery partner, the British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey.

DIT offers a range of practical support to businesses, who may contact the Department’s staff to talk about their specific requirements, including business security and continuity matters. Country-specific advice is also available on the www.gov.uk or www.great.gov.uk websites.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) advises UK businesses considering the Turkish market, and established UK investors in Turkey, on an individual basis, alongside our strategic business delivery partner the British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey.

DIT offers a range of practical support, such as local introductions and sector-specific guidance, political and economic briefings, and business events. Supporting businesses to invest overseas and reach their full potential is an important priority for the Department as we strive to create a global and outward looking economy.

General guidance on accessing DIT support in Turkey is available on the .gov websites: www.gov.uk and www.great.gov.uk

The UK is a founding member of the World Trade Organisation. As an EU Member State, the UK’s obligations in the World Trade Organization are shared with the European Union, and specific commitments are set out in EU schedules. As we leave the EU, we will need to establish specific UK schedules of commitments.

My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade last met with the World Trade Organisation Director General on the 27^th September 2016, and expects to meet him shortly.

The UK is a founding Member of the World Trade Organisation in its own right. We will update the terms of our membership as necessary and will work closely with other members to minimise disruption to our trading relationships.

There are a number of areas of potential interest for UK investors in Ukraine, including Agriculture, Energy and Infrastructure.

Ukraine has recently been moving up the World Bank Doing Business survey (now 83, up 5 places from 2015) but it continues to lag on the Corruption perception index (142 out of 175 countries ranked).

Ukraine’s Government is keen to attract foreign investors and is taking steps towards improving the business climate and the UK Government is providing assistance e.g. with the recent establishment of an Anti-corruption Bureau and Business Ombudsman which has been positively received by business leaders. But more still needs to be done.

The attempted coup of 15 July came as a surprise to everyone including UK investors in Turkey. The democratically elected government remains in power. Its policies, relating to international investors, remain the same or have been improved, with the aim of encouraging more foreign direct investment. UK investors were quick to confirm their intention to maintain or enhance their investments. We have consulted widely with the UK investor community, their message is clear; they are in Turkey for the long term and do not believe the events of 15 July have altered the economic fundamentals or the business case for continuing to invest in the market.