- BCC contributes to WTO Trade Policy Review: The BCC provided evidence to the World Trade Organisation’s visiting Trade Policy Review team this week, focusing on the impact of UK trade policy on exports, imports, and investment growth. This input will inform the WTO’s analysis of UK trade, set to be published next year.
- Engagement with the German Embassy: The BCC met with the German Embassy to discuss resetting UK-EU trade, recent economic developments in both countries, and how political events in Germany may shape the bilateral relationship with the UK.
- Discussions on trade facilitation and customs: The BCC engaged with the Customs and Trade Facilitation team from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to review trade data, documentation, rules of origin, progress on the Single Trade Window, and the ten-year impact of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.
- Focus on digital trade expansion: The BCC met with DBT’s Trade Digitalisation team to discuss advancements in digital trade within the UK and strategies to boost adoption of digital trade practices internationally.
- EU product safety regulation to take effect: The EU General Product Safety Regulation comes into force on Friday 13 December, requiring UK exporters in regulated product areas to appoint a responsible person in the EU for sales to businesses or consumers. The same requirement applies for sales from GB to NI. Contact us if your members encounter issues with compliance.
- BCC to give evidence on Trade in Services: The BCC will present evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s External Affairs Committee on Thursday 12 December regarding Trade in Services under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Members with relevant experiences to share should contact William Bain by Wednesday 11 December.
- New CPTPP preferences start in December: From Sunday 15 December, UK firms can utilise Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade preferences with eight Asia-Pacific countries and from Tuesday 24 December with Australia. Contact us to learn how these new trading terms can benefit your members trading with Asia-Pacific.
- Upcoming BCC Trade Policy Committee: The next virtual meeting takes place on Wednesday 18 December at 14:00 (UK time). Agenda items include updates on UK-US, UK-EU, and global trade developments, along with guidance on engaging with the UK government’s Trade Strategy. Written submissions are due by Friday 17 January, with oral representations accepted afterward. Contact William Bain for an invite.
Source from British Chamber of Commerce
