Business, Freight News

China trade boost is welcome, says BIFA

[ March 20, 2015   //   Chris ]

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) welcomed the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s announcement of “a near doubling” of funding for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) activities in China, in his Budget on 18 March.

BIFA director general Robert Keen said: “BIFA welcomes Mr Osborne’s plans to nearly double funding for UK Trade and Investment activities in China to £15 million as well as funding for a
series of trade missions with a focus on regional strengths. While the announcement was fairly modest, if it helps to get more people exporting, that will be good news for BIFA members, which facilitate the delivery of those exports.”

Others, such as the Institute of Directors welcomed the announcement, did however question the wisdom of prioritising one geographical market over another.

BIFA also welcomed promised funding for an ambitious series of trade missions focused on regional strengths.

The increase in fuel duty planned for September this year is not now going ahead, but Keen added: “This is the fourth postponement of fuel duty increases in two years, but it doesn’t mean that we will stop asking for an outright cut, the introduction of an essential user rebate and some form of fuel duty stabilisation mechanism.”

Elsewhere in the Budget, the government said it welcomed talks to reinstate the ferry service from Norway to Newcastle.

Tags: BIFA