British Prime Minister Theresa May is to embark on trade mission to three African countries this week.
May is scheduled for a five-day tour would visit South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya
She is to emphasize the trading opportunities open to the UK as the country exits European Union.
Accompanied by 29 business executives
ranging from FTSE 100 bank Standard Chartered Plc to London-based
start-up Farm.ink, she is expected to create an information-sharing
mobile platform for farmers.
ranging from FTSE 100 bank Standard Chartered Plc to London-based
start-up Farm.ink, she is expected to create an information-sharing
mobile platform for farmers.
“May is trying to strengthen ties with
economies outside the EU as the clock ticks down towards Britain’s
scheduled departure from the world’s largest trade bloc in March.
economies outside the EU as the clock ticks down towards Britain’s
scheduled departure from the world’s largest trade bloc in March.
“The UK sees potential in a continent
with a young and growing population—currently 16 per cent of the world’s
total—but which attracts just three per cent of foreign direct
investment and accounts for just three per cent of
global goods trade.
with a young and growing population—currently 16 per cent of the world’s
total—but which attracts just three per cent of foreign direct
investment and accounts for just three per cent of
global goods trade.
“As we prepare to leave the European
Union, now is the time for the UK to deepen and strengthen its global
partnerships,’’ May said in a statement.
Union, now is the time for the UK to deepen and strengthen its global
partnerships,’’ May said in a statement.
“A more prosperous, growing and trading Africa is in all of our interests.”
May departs as hardened euroskeptics in
her ruling Conservative party are pressing to rip up her blueprint for
keeping close ties to the EU goods market after Brexit.
her ruling Conservative party are pressing to rip up her blueprint for
keeping close ties to the EU goods market after Brexit.
With just seven months left before the 29
March exit, concern is growing in the financial markets that
negotiations could break down without an agreement.
March exit, concern is growing in the financial markets that
negotiations could break down without an agreement.
The prime minister has ordered her top
officials to attend a special cabinet meeting on Sept. 13, with a focus
on contingency planning for a departure without an agreement, according
to The Sunday Times.
officials to attend a special cabinet meeting on Sept. 13, with a focus
on contingency planning for a departure without an agreement, according
to The Sunday Times.
The meeting, first reported by Bloomberg News, will take stock of preparations so far and plan what further actions are needed.
UK ministers are split on the impact of a
no-deal Brexit. Last week, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond
warned Britain would be 80 billion pounds ($103 billion) worse off
without an agreement.
no-deal Brexit. Last week, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond
warned Britain would be 80 billion pounds ($103 billion) worse off
without an agreement.
But in an interview with The Sunday
Times, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said such forecasts should be
treated with “a measure of caution” because they’ve been “wrong” in the
past.
Times, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said such forecasts should be
treated with “a measure of caution” because they’ve been “wrong” in the
past.
On her African tour, May will emphasise
the importance to Europe of investing in stability and security in the
continent to the south in order to stem the flow of migrants seeking
refuge on European shores.
the importance to Europe of investing in stability and security in the
continent to the south in order to stem the flow of migrants seeking
refuge on European shores.
“It is in the world’s interest to help
secure African stability, jobs and growth because conflict, poor work
prospects and economic instability will continue to encourage migration
and dangerous journeys to Europe,’’ her office
said.
secure African stability, jobs and growth because conflict, poor work
prospects and economic instability will continue to encourage migration
and dangerous journeys to Europe,’’ her office
said.
While it’s May’s first visit to the
region as premier, she visited Tunisia as Home Secretary. It’s also the
first visit by a UK premier to sub Saharan Africa since 2013, and the
first to Kenya—a British protectorate until 1962—in
more than 30 years.
region as premier, she visited Tunisia as Home Secretary. It’s also the
first visit by a UK premier to sub Saharan Africa since 2013, and the
first to Kenya—a British protectorate until 1962—in
more than 30 years.
May will meet with South African
President Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape Town on Tuesday, before flying to
Abuja on Wednesday to see Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, and then
to Nairobi on Thursday for a meeting with Kenyan President
Uhuru Kenyatta.
President Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape Town on Tuesday, before flying to
Abuja on Wednesday to see Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, and then
to Nairobi on Thursday for a meeting with Kenyan President
Uhuru Kenyatta.
The business delegation includes Standard
Chartered Chief Executive Officer Bill Winters, London Stock Exchange
Group Plc CEO David Schwimmer and Scotch Whisky Association CEO Karen
Betts. Other companies and organisations represented
include Bechtel UK, CDC Group, the City of London Corporation, the
Financial Conduct Authority, JCB, Mabey Bridge Ltd. and Mott Macdonald
Ltd.
Chartered Chief Executive Officer Bill Winters, London Stock Exchange
Group Plc CEO David Schwimmer and Scotch Whisky Association CEO Karen
Betts. Other companies and organisations represented
include Bechtel UK, CDC Group, the City of London Corporation, the
Financial Conduct Authority, JCB, Mabey Bridge Ltd. and Mott Macdonald
Ltd.
