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The Rt Hon Greg Hands MP , Minister of State for Trade Policy Sends a Message of Support to the Chamber and its Members
The British Chamber of Commerce Singapore has received a message of support for our activities and those of our members from the Rt Hon Greg Hands MP , Minister of State for Trade Policy .
In the six-minute video , delivered to coincide with the Chamber ' s Annual General Meeting , the Minister described the relationship between the UK and Singapore as one of " friends , allies and trading partners ", pointing to the GBP15.5bn total trade between the two countries last year and more than 10,000 UK firms exporting goods to Singapore . The UK-Singapore Free Trade Agreement , signed late last year in a visit to the country by Liz Truss , Secretary of State for International Trade , is one of the UK ' s largest trade deals to be signed in the region , second only to the country ' s agreement with Japan , and is followed by negotiations for a Digital Economic Agreement ( DEA ) with Singapore and continued discussions on the multi-lateral CPTPP .
Minister Hands thanked the British Chamber for our work to support UK exporters , delivered by our Trade Services team , who helped over a quarter of all businesses who received export support in the region1 , worth over GBP25mn in the past 12 months .
Addressing the needs of British individuals and businesses in Singapore during the pandemic , the Minister congratulated the Chamber on our delivery of extensive support , content and advocacy on behalf of the community2 , working in parallel with the British High Commission and the Department for International Trade , and noted the difficulties experienced worldwide of managing businesses under heightened restrictions .
With the UK hosting COP26 later this year , Minister Hands pointed to the Chamber ' s continuous efforts to raise awareness of sustainability issues within the business community , delivered through our ongoing Road to Net Zero campaign3 .
In closing , Minister Hands said :
" We value your support in flying the flag for British business in Singapore very highly . You are a pivotal part of the wider British family in this key market , and my team and I look forward to working with you ever more closely in the coming year and beyond , as we help businesses of all kinds and sizes embrace the opportunities for trade and investment between Britain and Singapore that lie ahead ; driving growth and fostering innovation , as we enter a new age for this special bilateral partnership and for Britain ' s trade ties across the Asia Pacific region ."
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FROM THE CHAMBER