UK government to keep duty-free trade with developing countries post Brexit
The move means that around 48 countries, including Bangladesh, Haiti and Ethiopia, will continue to benefit from the arrangements on all goods bought by the UK, excluding weapons. Some £20billion of goods are shipped to the UK from these countries each year.
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said: “Our departure from the EU is an opportunity to step up to our commitments to the rest of the world, not step away from them."
“Behind the ‘duty-free exports’ are countless stories of people in developing countries working hard to provide for themselves and their families by exporting everyday goods such as cocoa, bananas and roses, resulting in lower prices and greater choice for consumers.” International Development Secretary Priti Patel said:
The Fairtrade Foundation’s Tim Aldred welcomed the Government’s pledge to increase trade with developing countries in a number of areas.
“We are very pleased to hear today’s commitments to guarantee and strengthen the position of the least developed countries who provide such a high quantity of the goods sold in our supermarkets and high streets," he said.
source: express.co.uk
