The United Kingdom (UK) Business and Trade Secretary, Mr Jonathan Reynolds, has appointed a new ‘global growth team’ of UK trade envoys.
In a statement, the British Deputy High Commission in Nigeria said the envoys would drive UK exports and investment as the government would intensify efforts to drive economic growth under its Plan for Change.
According to the commission, the envoys would use their experiences, expertise and knowledge to unlock new markets around the world for British businesses, drumming up investment into the UK.
It stated that 32 parliamentarians, including Florence Eshalomi, who was appointed Trade Envoy to Nigeria, were drawn from across the political spectrum.
“Flo Eshalomi MP and the other 31 MPs will work closely with the Department for Business and Trade, bringing in their previous government-to-government experiences to bolster exports, attract investments, and remove trade barriers in their respective markets.
“They are tasked with identifying trade and investment opportunities for businesses and championing the UK as a destination of choice for investment in the assigned target markets across six continents.
“Each market has been identified as presenting significant potential for growing UK trade, and trade envoys are appointed on their abilities, relevant skills and experiences,” it said.
It quoted the Country Director, Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in Nigeria, Mr Mark Smithson, as saying that he was excited about the appointment of Florence Eshalomi.
“I look forward to working with the new trade envoy to Nigeria to deliver on the commitments made under the UK Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and unlock growth and opportunities for the two nations,” it quoted Smithson as saying.
Eshalomi takes over from Helen Grant, who was Trade Envoy to Nigeria from October 2020 to May 2024.
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