Also in the news...
UK-Vietnam committee documents
Decisions, documents and meeting minutes from the UK-Vietnam committees.
Foreign travel advice Uzbekistan
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Uzbekistan. Warnings and insurance Still current at: 7 May 2024 Updated: 3 May 2024 Latest update: Updated information on drones, road travel and regional risks ('Safety and security' and 'Regional risks' pages).
Foreign travel advice Trinidad and Tobago
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 7 May 2024 Updated: 5 May 2024 Latest update: Removal of information about temporary closure of Buccoo Reef Marine Park (Warnings and insurance). The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions.
Foreign travel advice Brazil
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Brazil. Warnings and insurance Still current at: 7 May 2024 Updated: 5 May 2024 Latest update: Updated information on rainfall and flooding (Safety and security, Regional risks)
Guidance UK-China Intellectual Property Newsletter
At the end of every month we publish a newsletter covering recent intellectual property (IP) developments in China.
Mark Garnier speech to the British Chamber of Commerce in Mexico
Speech delivered to British and Mexican business leaders in Mexico City
I would like to thank the British Chamber of Commerce in Mexico for inviting me here to speak, and congratulate them on fostering closer commercial ties between the UK and Mexico for over 95 years.
My first visit to Mexico as a Minister at the Department for International Trade couldn’t have come at a more important time.
Global trade - the very thing that has driven out poverty and ushered in prosperity for millions across the world; that has seen the flow of technology, talent and ideas across borders; and that has sustained our public services - is experiencing an unprecedented slowdown in growth.
The WTO has warned that, for the first time, protectionist measures are being instigated at a faster rate than they are being removed.
Free trade needs champions now more than ever.
So my message to you all today is simple. The UK, with the help of partners such as Mexico, will be the most passionate advocate for global free trade anywhere in the world.
I want to outline three areas we will focus on to make that aim a reality.
Firstly, I want the UK and Mexico to build on our history of co-operation: not just across trade, but across diplomacy and culture too.
Second, we will build a Global Britain, which will retain the closest possible relations with our European friends, but also revive and strengthen relations further afield.
And finally, we will keep Britain open for business, maintaining and promoting our world leading business environment.
Let me begin by talking about our bilateral relations.
Diplomatically, we have never been stronger.
2015 was a ‘Dual Year’ for our 2 countries – which saw an unprecedented level of collaboration around the arts, science and innovation, tourism and trade – not to mention a state visit to the UK by your President.
It was a reminder that although thousands of miles apart, our 2 countries remain like-minded long term strategic partners on global issues.