Brexit britain can rejuvenate global network after years of dilution

“As the UK assumes the Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, we will be in a unique position of leadership and influence within the organisation. “If the FCO is to make a success of its ‘Global

Britain’ strategy, it has to show leadership; nowhere is this more important than within the Commonwealth. The UK helped to shape this organisation but it has neglected it in recent years.

“For too long, successive governments have talked about putting the ‘C’ back in Foreign and Commonwealth Office without investing the resources or energy to deliver. That has to change.” He

added: “The FCO must put in place a credible and distinct Commonwealth strategy, which proves to our Commonwealth partners what the organisation means to the UK in the long-term.”   Trade

minister Graham Stuart has also been in Australia this week to encourage businesses to start creating new links ahead of a free trade deal. The Minister will meet with several UK companies

that have already been using their cutting-edge capabilities to get the Games up and running, flying the flag for quality home grown products and challenge the idea that UK companies only

benefit from trade with countries close to them in Europe. Companies which have won contracts to supply the games include Foamhand, an innovative crowd management company that uses giant

foam hands to guide visitors in the right direction at major destinations, as well as Aggreko, a major Glaswegian power generation company providing electrical power at all 18 competition

venues. Mr Stuart said: “As UK athletes go for gold at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, our exporters are already on the medal table after landing contracts to get the games up and

running. “Global Britain has seen great success as our exports rise to £625 billion and our foreign direct investment is higher than ever before but there’s more that can be done to further

strengthen our ties with countries such as Australia and Taiwan. “As an international economic department, we are supporting these efforts through tailored trade support in our Exporting and

Invest in GREAT Britain campaigns.”