- Greg Hands MP had a successful visit to Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands last week.
- It was a very useful trip to gain further understanding how the UK Government can help the Bailiwicks trade globally.
- The Crown Dependencies have much to offer in terms of trade in goods and services – and the UK’s trade agenda will bring many great benefits, too.
Greg Hands MP had an excellent visit to Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands last week in his capacity as Minister for Trade.
The visit was very useful to gain further insights in how the Department for Business and Trade can help Jersey and Guernsey trade better globally. The Crown Dependencies have so much to offer in terms of goods and services to the UK’s trade agenda – which can bring great benefits to the Bailiwicks, too!
The first stop of Greg’s visit was Guernsey, where he had a full day of visits and meetings with Ministers from the States of Guernsey and business leaders.
Greg met with both First Minister, Deputy Lyndon Trott - congratulating him on his reappointment to the States of Guernsey - and External Affairs Minister, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq to discuss Guernsey’s trade. They discussed how Guernsey has grown its economy and developed its role in the world together with various business leaders.
Greg was warmly welcomed by Sir Richard McMahon, Guernsey’s 90th Bailiff and HM Attorney-General Megan Pullum KC to the Royal Court in St Peter Port, which dates back to the early 1800s. It as a privilege for Greg to spend time with two pillars of the community.
Whilst in Guernsey, Greg also visited the Specsavers global support centre and Guernsey Post. Greg saw the Guernsey Post’s facilities, with the new bespoke parcel sorting equipment as well as a chance to see the latest stamps! It was interesting to hear that Guernsey is home to the oldest working pillar box on the British Isles.
Greg’s Guernsey visit finished with an excellent roundtable, held in St Peter Port, on the value of international trade to services businesses.
It is always a pleasure for Greg to visit Jersey and to see the new Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Farnham and Minister for External Affairs, Deputy Ian Gorst.
With fog delaying his arrival to Jersey, Greg carried out an abbreviated but insightful programme in Jersey to talk trade and the active involvement of the Crown Dependencies in the UK Government’s Free Trade Agreement agenda.
The UK Government is keen to see wider market access for Jersey’s food and drink, such as the famous Jersey Royal potatoes, through its Free Trade Agreements. Greg had the chance to meet Doug Richardson of Richardson’s Jersey Royals, who explained how their potatoes are grown with great care and love, washed on the harvester and packed in the field!
It was also a pleasure for Greg to meet with a wide range of businesses and business organisations from across the island. It is clear that the UK’s trade agenda can bring great benefits to Jersey.
In addition, Greg spoke to ITV Channel News about the huge demand for products from the Channel Islands, from fantastic food to cutting-edge financial services.
Commenting, Greg Hands said:
“It is always a real pleasure to return to Jersey and Guernsey. The Crown Dependencies have so much to offer for our trade agenda in terms of both goods and services, from financial services to dairy and potatoes.
It was also a very useful visit to further understand how the Government can help Jersey and Guernsey trade better globally.”
ENDS
