International trade minister Liam Fox visits Israel to push post-Brexit trade
Government representative described himself as “as longstanding friend” of the Jewish state as he visits on key business mission
Britain’s minister for international trade made Israel his first port-of-call this week, after the 27 members of the European Union signed off on the terms of Britain’s departure from the bloc.
Liam Fox met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday in a bid to replicate or improve on the trade relations currently enjoyed between the two countries as part of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Trade between Israelis and Brits has skyrocketed, with Scotch whisky exports alone increasing by 300 percent in the last six years, while Israeli-made generic pharmaceuticals continue to act as a crucial pipeline supply for the NHS.
“Ensuring continuity for our businesses is the best foundation for growing two-way UK-Israel trade and investment,” said Fox.
“The complementary nature of our economies in areas like science and technology, where we are both global leaders, gives us an obvious opportunity to increase our already record-breaking levels of bilateral trade.”
The UK Government’s proposed Brexit deal allows Fox to strike his own deals around the world, with Israel one of about 70 countries with which the UK would seek to first replicate the trade terms currently enjoyed by its membership of the EU.
In recent years, London has been the preferred listing destination of Israeli companies setting up abroad, with 300 firms setting up shop here, but it is unclear whether this will continue after the UK leaves the single market.
As an ardent Brexiteer, one of Fox’s first ministerial actions upon assuming control of the Department for International Trade was to set up a UK-Israel Trade Working Group “to identify and remove barriers to trade between the two countries”.
The minister last year described himself as “as longstanding friend” of Israel, which he said would be a “key partner” in Britain’s future outside the EU.
Great to start my first day in Israel by meeting some of the UK’s biggest Israeli investors. Since the 2016 referendum, there has been £400 million of Israeli investment in the UK, creating 1,300 jobs across the country. #InvestInGREAT #FreeTrade pic.twitter.com/NMz6IoqIBP
— Dr Liam Fox MP (@LiamFox) November 27, 2018
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
