Unlocking Free Trade Agreements and CPTPP in Practice

The webinar will explore how FTA's enhance competitiveness and support sustainable international growth, with a focus on CPTPP and India, plus other upcoming agreements, such as with the Republic of Korea and the GCC region. UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) colleagues will offer more detail about the individual provisions and the practical support UK companies can access to unlock the benefits of FTA's, especially for those relevant for services industries.

The UK is the first European nation to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a major trade bloc whose members - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, and now the UK - have a combined GDP of £12 trillion. UK services firms, which employ over 80% of the workforce, will find opportunities to export their services to CPTPP countries, with firms allowed to manage funds across the world from the UK and provide services to CPTPP markets on a level playing field with domestic firms in key sectors.

Our speakers will provide an overview of the CPTPP including digital trade, services and investment market access provisions, government procurement opportunities, tariffs, customs, and rules of origin for infrastructure related goods. The session will cover the support available for UK firms looking to enter CPTPP markets, including how to navigate non-tariff barriers and dispute resolution mechanisms.

This session is for all BEI members and non BEI members. Speakers are keen to hear from attendees on their experience of CPTPP so far and welcome feedback.