The UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, announced Ben Coleman as the UK Trade Envoy for Morocco and West Africa on Tuesday, an official government statement reads.
Reynolds announced the designation of 31 other trade envoys covering a total of 79 markets. After confirming the appointments, Reynolds said that trade and investment “are key to delivering economic growth, the number one mission of this government and a key part of our Plan for Change.”
These envoys aim to support the UK’s growth priorities by advancing industrial and trade strategies and facilitating foreign direct investment into regions across the United Kingdom.
Reynolds said that UK trade envoys “will use their experience, expertise, and knowledge to unlock new markets around the world for British businesses, drumming up investment into the UK and ultimately driving economic growth.”
Ben Coleman’s appointment underscores the UK government’s commitment to enhancing its economic and trade ties with Morocco and the broader West African region.
Economic and trade relations between Morocco and the United Kingdom have seen significant progress since the signing of the Morocco-UK Association Agreement in 2021. This agreement came into effect in January 2021 and notably increased trade exchanges between the two countries, marking a new chapter in their bilateral relationship.