UK Appoints 2 Trade Commissioners for Europe, Central Asia
The United Kingdom's International Trade Secretary Liz Truss appointed two new trade commissioners Sept. 1 to attract new investment and explore export opportunities throughout Europe and Central Asia, the Department for International Trade said. Chris Barton, former acting director general of trade negotiations at DIT, was appointed trade commissioner for Europe. Kenan Poleo, the current deputy trade commissioner for Europe, was tapped to be the commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Network. In their new positions, the pair will “lead on a coordinated government effort overseas to promote UK trade, delivering jobs and prosperity for the UK economy,” DIT said.
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“I am delighted to be appointed,” Barton said. “Europe accounts for half of UK exports and is our largest source of inward investment. Ratification of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, alongside new [free trade agreements] with other European countries, provides a strong basis for further opportunities. It is my job to build on these firm foundations, encouraging trade and investment between the UK and other European countries by reducing barriers to UK trade in Europe, helping UK businesses to export to Europe, attracting inward investment from Europe, and championing the rules-based international trading system with Europe.”
Poleo pointed to opportunities for the U.K. among the Eastern European and Central Asian countries "across this dynamic region {that] continue to diversify their economies into areas where the UK excels, such as technology and clean growth."