UK Japan Free Trade Virtual Summit – 20 January 2021

The ITFA Board is pleased to inform you about the UK-Japan Free Trade Summit, a one-day virtual event, which will take placeon the 20^th of January 2021.

We are delighted to inform you that ITFA has secured 2 passes, each with a 50% discount for ITFA members to attend this event. As is customary, the discounted passes will be available to ITFA members only on a first come first serve basis. In addition, any other registrations made by ITFA members will be at a 15% discount. In order to register for the discounted passes and benefit from the ITFA discounts please send an email to alexiavella@itfa.org. Please keep in mind that these offers are not available in conjunction with each other and are eligible for new registrations only. Moreover, each member institution is, at most, entitled to one pass at 50% discount.

In September, the UK secured a free trade agreement with Japan, which is the UK’s first major trade deal as an independent trading nation and will increase trade with Japan by an estimated £15.2 billion. The UK and Japan have a long-shared history as free trading nations and this deal has given both countries an opportunity to deepen the partnership in a number of industry sectors including finance, digital trade, technology, manufacturing, food and drink.

Opened by The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, Secretary of State for International Trade, President of the Board of Trade and chaired by Sir David Wright GCMG LVO, Chair, TheCityUK Japan Market Advisory Group; Global Advisor, SMFJ andFormer UK Ambassador to Japan, this high-profile conference will provide delegates with an in-depth understanding of the agreement’s key benefits as well as an analysis of the business opportunities in the key industry sectors, both in terms of export potential and direct investment.

Other confirmed speakers include:

• Graham Zebedee, Chief Negotiator, UK-Japan Free Trade Agreement, Director, Continuity Negotiations and Development at UK Department for International Trade
• Katharine Braddick, Director General for Financial Services, HM Treasury
• David Bailey, Executive Director for International Banks Supervision, Bank of England
• Keiichi Aritomo, Executive Director, FinCity.Tokyo
• Andy Burwell, Director of International Trade and Investment, CBI
• Mike Cherry OBE, National Chairman OBE, The Federation of Small Businesses
• Michelle Chivunga, Founder & CEO, Global Policy House
• Charlotte Crosswell, CEO, Innovate Finance
• Julian David, CEO, TechUK
• Ben Digby, Head of Global Trade Policy, Group Public Affairs, HSBC Holdings plc
• Dominic Goudie, Head of International Trade, Food and Drink Federation
• Dr Adam Marshall, Director General, The British Chambers of Commerce
• Robert Sheasby, CEO, Agricultural Industries Confederation
• Paul Alger MBE, Director, International Business, UK Fashion and Textiles Association
• Nick von Westenholz, Director of EU Exit and International Trade, National Farmers’ Union
• Dr Minako Morita-Jaeger, International Trade Policy Consultant and Fellow, The UK Trade Policy Observatory, The University of Sussex
• Kevin Shakespeare FIEx, IOE&IT Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Institute of Export and International Trade

Key topics include:

• What does trade between the UK and Japan look like at the moment and how has it been impacted by COVID-19? Which new benefits will the FTA bring to UK businesses (majors and SMEs), entrepreneurs and exporters? Successfully moving towards the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
• Benefitting from the new Rules of Origin, tariff free access for more UK goods and strong tariff reductions for others
• Successfully building on the UK’s existing international obligations to ensure high standards. Protecting UK goods – new geographical indications (GIs). Meeting the UK’s commitments on diversity and inclusion, climate change, environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards. Dispute resolution
• How will the FTA impact the future of the UK financial services, professional and business services sectors? Increased transparency and streamlined application processes for licence applications. Eliminating barriers to cross-border trade and investment and effectively co-operating on reducing regulatory friction between two countries
• Supporting the free flow of data between Japan and UK whilst maintaining high standards of protection for personal data and maximising opportunities for digital trade across all sectors of the UK economy. Promoting innovation and growth of the UK firms operating in Japan. Ban on data localization. Approach to cybercrime
• Creating more opportunities in the manufacturing, food & drinks sector: increased market access, tariff reductions and tariff-free sectoral agreements, new protections, improved mobility for business people, standards and rules of origin

The interactive virtual format of this event will offer British and Japanese companies the opportunity to have a diverse and well-informed dialogue with senior officials from government agencies and industry leaders in both countries, as well as to network effectively using the latest technology platform.
 
As always, we do hope that our members make the most of the additional benefits that ITFA is bringing to them through such collaborations.