Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Accepted
Assign clear Ministerial responsibility for FTA implementation to the Minister for Trade.
Recommendation
The Government should assign clear Ministerial responsibility for FTA implementation, which should be identified in the portfolio of the Minister for Trade and listed as one of their ministerial responsibilities. The Minister must ensure that implementation of FTAs, including CETA, is supported by appropriate resources and explore the benefits of a trade promotion campaign. (Recommendation, Paragraph 110)
Government Response Summary
The government states that the current Trade Minister is already responsible for both trade policy and exports and has ministerial responsibility for ensuring the implementation of FTAs is resourced and delivered, with substantial teams in place to support this.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The current Trade Minister is the first Trade Minister responsible for both trade policy and exports and has ministerial responsibility for ensuring the implementation of FTAs is resourced and delivered. As referenced above, HM Government retains substantial teams both in the overseas net-work and in London, devoted to implementing the agreement. DBT’s dedicated Free Trade Agreement Utilisation team is leading a coordinated, cross-departmental programme to ensure UK businesses are fully equipped to take advantage of the UK–India FTA the moment it enters into force. This capability exercise is delivered by raising awareness of the deal, producing sector specific and thematic guides, and supporting firms to understand how to leverage new market access opportunities, tariff reductions, and simplified customs processes. DBT’s outreach activity has already engaged over 7,000 businesses and their representative groups on CETA right across the UK and in market. Through ongoing business engagement, regional events, partnerships with sector bodies, and close collaboration with policy teams, DBT is ensuring that companies not only understand the deal but can convert its provisions into real commercial wins.