UK PM appoints new trade envoy for Sri Lanka

Thursday, 22 October 2020 04:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed Lord Davies of Abersoch CBE as the new Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Sri Lanka on 5 October.

Lord Davies will support the UK’s trade and investment promotion objectives through high-level access to Sri Lankan and UK stakeholders, opening doors for UK businesses to catalyse deals that will bring benefits to both countries.

Speaking about this appointment High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Sarah Hulton OBE said: “I am delighted that the Prime Minister has appointed Lord Davies as Trade Envoy for Sri Lanka. Lord Davies brings extensive experience in promoting UK businesses together with a strong affiliation to our identified priority sectors of infrastructure and financial services, which we hope will contribute to driving trade and prosperity for both countries.”

Commenting on his appointment, Lord Davies said: “I’m pleased to have been appointed as Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka. This is an important role to promote UK exports to and inward investment from Sri Lanka, generating long-term benefits for both countries. I look forward to starting on this interesting and challenging role through virtual engagements with key Sri Lankan stakeholders in both the government and private sector and carry forward the UK government’s trading ambitions with Sri Lanka.”

Lord Davies is Chairman of Corsair, where he serves as a member of the Investment Committee, having joined the company in 2010. He is also Chairman of LetterOne and Intermediate Capital Group. He was UK Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business from January 2009 until May 2010, a joint role between the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with responsibility for Infrastructure UK. Prior to this appointment, he was Chairman of Standard Chartered PLC. He joined the Board of Standard Chartered PLC in 1997 and was Group Chief Executive from 2001 until 2006.

He was awarded a CBE for his services to the financial sector and the community in Hong Kong in 2002 where he served as a member of the HK Exchange fund for seven years. Lord Davies is also an Honorary Distinguished Professor at Cardiff Business School.

The UK Government, like many developed economies, promotes investment opportunities and supports its businesses to succeed overseas and work to remove barriers to success. Trade Envoys are at the forefront of strengthening trade and investment relationships with key markets whilst simultaneously promoting British business interests in these locations.

The UK Government’s overall economic growth strategy includes the use of trade envoys acting as powerful advocates promoting and assisting the UK’s world-class industry in the many sectors that we provide innovative solutions. Trade envoys also highlight the UK’s competitive business environment, diverse workforce and signpost the UK as the destination of choice for inward investment.