UK has ‘laser’ focus on supporting tech firms expanding into South-east Asia

THE new year is fast shaping up to be an eventful one for Britain as it continues to deepen its involvement and presence in Singapore and across the Asia-Pacific region, especially on the trade front.

Negotiations are in the final stretch for the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, a massive free trade deal signed by 11 Pacific Rim countries including Singapore and the US in 2018.

The UK and India – the third-largest economy in Asia and the current president of the G20 – have already completed six rounds of talks for a free trade agreement, as officials from both sides look to finalise the pact that aims to double bilateral trade to US$100 billion by 2030.