Reacting to the news that the trade deals with Australia and New Zealand will come into force on May 31, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:

“It is good news to hear that the free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand will finally come into force at the end of the month.

“These deals will lower tariffs, simplify customs procedures, allow for greater freedom of movement for labour and provide stronger market access for the UK’s world-leading services sector.

“But the success of any free trade agreement comes down to whether businesses use it, so it’s vital the Government shouts from the rooftops about these new opportunities.

“A recent BCC survey also found almost a quarter of firms (23%) said finding a business partner or distributor overseas would encourage them to either start exporting or export more.

“We have strong Chambers in both Australia and New Zealand and will be working with them to get the most out of these trade deals for all our economies.”