Commonwealth Greater Birmingham
Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce Contact: Jamila Davis T: 0121 607 1826
New director: Keith Stokes-Smith and Tony Shergill
Commonwealth Chamber Patron
Improving trade links with the Commonwealth
What is the relationship between Commonwealth countries exports and trade governance, foreign direct investment, intellectual property rights, trade facilitation and contract enforcement? This question was recently
asked by the Commonwealth Secretariat – and Keith Stokes- Smith, president of the GBCCC, takes a look at the answer.
After posing the above question, the Secretariat undertook research which first looked to identify the distinction between the 'trade governance' and 'good governance' agendas. Second, it sought to identify what
indicators exist for measuring trade governance and how its use can foster trade gains for Commonwealth countries. Third, it looked at which policies can
promote trade governance and enhance the ‘Commonwealth advantage’ - which is, higher intra-Commonwealth trade and investment and lower trade costs. In layman's terms, governance it is about
Tony is Commonwealth Association’s director
The Birmingham Commonwealth Association has appointed Tony Shergill as a director. Mr Shergill is the chief executive of Brit Asia
TV, which is based in Broad Street, Birmingham city centre. The company is an Asian music channel, and
its main focus is on bhangra, punjabi pop and Bollywood. It also features other musical styles, such as R&B, urban, hip hop and underground. Brit Asia TV was founded a decade ago and
can be found on Sky, Virgin and Freeview. Mr Shergill has joined an organisation launched in 2014 by the city council, to promote the city to commonwealth countries and others. BCA chairman Keith Stokes-Smith said: “Tony
will be a great asset, injecting new energy and drive into the association as well as improving our support of British Asians. “He is a media industry professional with over
10 years’ experience across broadcast, technology, marketing, sales and business development, something the BCA welcomes . “As Brexit looms and the opportunities and
enthusiasm to engage with the other 52 Commonwealth nations approaches, particularly in relation to trade in goods and services, though also in the further education sector, the BCA needs to step up its game.
‘We have a fantastic local Commonwealth diaspora and it is also important we and they engage more closely with each other’
“We have a fantastic local Commonwealth
diaspora and it is also important we and they engage more closely with each other. The Birmingham Commonwealth Games are not that far away – let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth. “Let’s help promote Birmingham and Greater Birmingham's global competitiveness and influence.” Mr Shergill said: “I am honoured and privileged of being appointed as director for the Birmingham Commonwealth Association. Birmingham has so much to offer to the UK, and world, with the young professionals scene being among the largest in Europe. “This city is its people, and the association is a
reflection of the city. I’m excited to help build Birmingham’s connection with companies looking to export and import for trade increasing business relations between countries around the world.”
how power is used and how institutions function; about key principles such as participation and inclusion, transparency, accountability, democratisation, human rights, rule of law and administration of justice. Here is a summary of some of the
Secretariat’s conclusions. Distance has an expected negative effect
on exports, unlike common language, common border and colonial links, which affect exports positively. Regional trade agreements and WTO
membership have a positive effect on exports. Many other factors have an effect as well, including citizens’ ability to participate in choosing their government, whether they have freedom of expression or not, political stability, governance effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law and control of corruption. Improved customs administration also
promotes trade between Commonwealth countries. In my view, there is a need to enable
countries to improve transit times, cut down the number of documents required for exporting and reduce costs. There also needs to be more harmonisation of trade documentation and better customs procedures. Policies and regulations that govern the
movement of goods within countries and across borders also deserve attention, as well as developing countries’ access to international markets and technology.
October 2018 CHAMBERLINK 33
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