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UK appoints new HM Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific to strengthen trade and investment links
The Department for Business and Trade has appointed Martin Kent as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Asia Pacific
- Martin Kent appointed as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific
- With total UK-Asia Pacific trade worth more than £120 billion, the region offers huge potential for UK businesses
- Kent joins department’s team of nine HM Trade Commissioners encouraging UK trade and investment and promoting Global Britain across the world
Martin Kent has today [18th September] been appointed as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, succeeding Natalie Black CBE.
As the new Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, he will generate business opportunities for the UK while contributing to the growth of sustainable, resilient, and productive economies across the region.
Prior to his new role, Martin Kent was the Minister and Deputy Head of Mission in the British Embassy Tokyo, a Director within the Department for Business and Trade, and also HM Deputy Trade Commissioner for Africa. He started his career with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and has worked across the Asia Pacific region, including in BCG’s Singapore and Australia offices.
Alongside trade and investment, Kent will pursue regional security priorities in his new position, protecting free trade and supply chains and continuing the progression already made by the AUKUS security pact.
Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, said:
Our network of HMTCs bang the drum for Britain across the world, promoting UK trade, investment, and export finance.
I am delighted to welcome Martin to this role and am confident he will build on our outstanding track record on trade in Asia Pacific, expanding opportunities for British businesses in one of the world’s fastest growing markets.
With total UK-Asia Pacific trade worth more than £120 billion, the region offers huge potential for UK businesses.
The recently signed trade deals with Australia and New Zealand are set to deliver an economic boost by driving trade up by 53% with Australia and 59% with New Zealand and could also mean reduced prices for UK consumers on favourites such as wine, Tim Tams and kiwi fruit and lowered costs on machinery parts for UK manufacturers.
Further benefits are to be expected following the signing of the UK’s assession to CPTPP in July. Being part of the bloc will mean that more than 99 per cent of UK goods exports to CPTPP countries will be eligible for zero tariffs.
HM Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, Martin Kent, said:
I am delighted to be appointed as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific. The region is the engine room of the global economy and is a major driver of global economic growth and opportunity for UK businesses.
I will be focused on securing and implementing high-quality Free Trade Agreements, attracting investment to all parts of the UK, opening markets for UK exporters, and positioning the UK as a beacon for free trade in the Asia Pacific region.