Driving commercial and political engagement between Asia, the Middle East and Europe
Driving commercial and political engagement between Asia, the Middle East and Europe
HE Koji Tsuruoka, Japanese Ambassador to the UK, and the Rt Hon Sir Lockwood Smith, New Zealand High Commissioner to the UK, joined Asia House corporate members and selected participants on Friday for a private briefing and roundtable discussion on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement.
Topics discussed included the process and the likelihood of the TPP being ratified, uncertainty surrounding the TPP ahead of US elections and following opposition within member states, other global trade deals, specifically the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the movements towards protectionism globally.
H.E. Mr. Koji Tsuruoka was appointed by the Japanese Government as the new Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom in April 2016. Prior to this appointment, he was the Chief Negotiator for the TPP and Ambassador, Representative of the Government of Japan for the TPP (2013-2016).
Rt Hon Sir Lockwood Smith is the current High Commissioner of New Zealand to the UK. Sir Lockwood served as a Member of Parliament from 1984 until his retirement in early 2013 to pursue a diplomatic career. During his parliamentary career, he served as a senior minister in various portfolios including Education, Agriculture, and Trade. He also served as Deputy Minister of Finance, Minister of Forestry, Minister of Tourism, Minister Responsible for Contact Energy Ltd, Minister Responsible for the Education Review Office, and Minister Responsible for the National Library.
Asia House corporate members represented at the table included HSBC, Mitsui, Telstra, Rio Tinto, KPMG, Arup and Shell.
samanatha.deave@asiahouse.co.uk
Alok Sharma, Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will give a keynote speech about the future of UK trade after Brexit and how UK companies can contribute to the growing demand for services in Asia at a conference, being held in partnership with HSBC, on 23 November. For more information click here.
Mark Bowman, Director General, International Finance at HM Treasury, will brief Asia House corporate members on 7 February 2017. For more information click here.
