The UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox MP, highlighted the opportunities for ports in facilitating trade and driving the UK economy, during a reception organised by the British Ports Association, on 12 September.
Currently, 95% of the UK’s trade moves through its seaports and with trade high on the political agenda, ports are keen to engage with policymakers and the public to articulate the value they bring to the UK.
Secretary of State Liam Fox MP said that UK ports have a brilliant future for UK’s economic ambitions as Britain leaves the European Union.
We know how important it will be to preserve vital existing trading links with our current partners in the EU. And for the first time in four decades, we will determine our own independent trade policy, able to seize the opportunity to establish new economic relationships across the globe.
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In addition, Alec Don, Chairman of the British Ports Association and Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven, explained that BPA ports have planned over £1.2bn of investments, and collectively all of the nation’s ports handle 95% of the UK’s trade in goods.
There is simply no question that the continuous development of port infrastructure has always been and will always continue to be a matter of overriding economic importance and in the national interest in support of our trade.
What is more small ports and harbours are vital to the economic life of their communities and they need to be able to invest. For this reason a national political is needed to do what is necessary to deliver a 21st century infrastructure.
