Enhanced UK-Switzerland FTA negotiations: Update March 2024
The fourth round of negotiations on a UK-Switzerland enhanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) 
took place in Bern, Switzerland from 4 to 8 March 2024.
Talks continue to be constructive and positive, with both countries focused on achieving a modern and comprehensive agreement with ambitious outcomes, including in areas such as services and investment, mobility, digital and the environment, which are not covered by our existing FTA. UK-Swiss services trade was worth £27.9 billion in the 12 months to September 2023.
The fifth hybrid round of negotiations is expected to take place in the UK in early summer 2024.
Read More Here
British businesses to benefit as UK launches new trade talks with Turkey
services sector set to benefit businesses across the country.There are huge opportunities as Turkey has one of the fastest growing economies in the OECD and is home to 85 million people. The UK and Turkey have a strong economic relationship, with trade between the two worth almost £26 billion in 2022. Turkey presents significant opportunities for British businesses, particularly in transport, engineering, financial services, manufacturing and tech, driven in part by Turkey’s decarbonisation efforts and significant investment in rail.
The new trade deal will replace our current one, which was largely negotiated in the 1990s. It will focus on the UK’s strengths in services, which make up 80% of GDP. In 2020, 57,000 UK jobs were supported by exports to Turkey - 68% of which were in services.
Read More Here
UK signs trade pact with second biggest US state – Texas
On March 13, the UK signed a trade pact with Texas to boost trade and investment t
ies between the UK and Texas, as Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch welcomed Texas Governor Greg Abbott to London.
Texas has the second largest US state economy, with a GDP of £1.9 trillion in 2022 – larger than Italy, making this the UK’s most economically significant trade pact with a US state to date. The UK is Texas’ 8th largest international goods export market, with total trade in goods already worth £14.7 billion in 2023. The top products being exported to Texas include nuclear equipment, aircraft, and pharmaceutical products.
The pact aims to help make it quicker, easier, and cheaper for UK and Texas firms to do business by tackling trade barriers, growing investment, and driving commerce between the UK and Texas.
Read More Here
UK takes major step towards joining Indo-Pacific trade bloc
On March 20th, the UK is one step closer to joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement
for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) later this year, as the new Trade (CPTPP) Act received Royal Assent.
In July, the UK signed up to the vast Indo-Pacific trade group, bolstering its combined GDP to £12 trillion in 2022 – a huge 15% of the global economy. Under the deal, over 99% of current UK goods exports to CPTPP countries will be eligible for zero tariffs, including Scotch whisky and cars.
The UK will be the first European member and first new member since CPTPP was created, which would have been impossible had we remained in the EU. Being part of CPTPP will support jobs and economic growth across the country, with every nation and region expected to benefit.
Exports Minister visits Latin America to boost trade and unlock billions worth of exports
Minister for Exports Lord Offord has kicked off a visit to the Dominican Republic, Colombia 
and Bolivia to meet counterparts and fly the flag for British businesses looking to sell their products in markets round the world.
Lord Offord has signed a Government-to-Government agreement with the President of the Dominican Republic that will open access to a pipeline of infrastructure projects worth over £2 billion and strengthen trade ties between the two countries, helping to grow the UK economy.
The agreement marks the start of a new strategic partnership between the UK and the Dominican Republic. Together, the UK government and leading British businesses will work to deliver priority infrastructure projects across the water, healthcare, energy and transport sectors, helping to grow exports and drive economic growth.
Read More Here