WIREDGOV

Jacqueline de Rojas discusses key tech issues with Liam Fox MP during his US trip.

techUK’s President, Jacqueline de Rojas, spoke with the new Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox MP, in Chicago recently to discuss how the tech sector can be at the heart of the UK’s new international trade priorities. As the UK leaves the EU, establishing new trade relationships will be vital for the continued dynamism of the UK’s tech sector and the UK economy more broadly.

The Secretary of State stressed in a major speech that the UK should be confident of success outside of the EU. According to Dr Fox MP the strength of the UK’s economic fundamentals, the attractiveness of low corporate tax rates and the fact that four of the world’s top 10 universities are in the UK all make it an attractive place to do business. The UK also enjoys a fortuitous time zone for doing business with the world’s largest economies - China in the morning; the US in the afternoon.

This week the new Department for International Trade also opened three US offices in San Diego, Minneapolis and Raleigh. Given the UK’s strong tech sector, building bridges with tech hubs such as San Diego is a welcome move and techUK believes this should be a focus as the Department opens more international offices.

Jacqueline stressed that data passporting is as important to the UK economy as financial services passporting. As 80% of UK economy is in services, inherently underpinned by data, international data flows are vital to the UK’s economic health and a top Government priority. techUK believes the UK will continue to be the natural home for tech and we will continue to engage the new Government on prioritising the industry’s needs.