01-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Ambassador visits Newport and Magor in trade roadshow
Anne Sherriff, the UK's ambassador to Belgium, visited south Wales on June 30 as part of a new roadshow led by foreign secretary David Lammy.
The roadshow aims to strengthen economic ties and drive growth across the UK by connecting regions with overseas markets.
Mr Lammy said: "Wales has a strong connection to Belgium but there's so much more we can do to boost trade and investment.
"I am sending my Ambassador to work directly with local businesses to build connections so they can harness their expertise and effectively champion the interests of Wales most effectively.
"This nationwide roadshow is one of the ways I am ensuring the economic interests of British businesses sit at the heart of our foreign policy as we deliver on our Plan for Change."
Ambassador Sherriff met with Andrew Gwatkin, the Welsh Government's director for international relations and trade, in Cardiff before touring CSA Catapult's headquarters in Newport.
The visit also included a stop at AB InBev's brewery in Magor.
Ms Sherriff said: "It's exciting to be in south Wales as part of this first-of-its-kind roadshow – going the extra mile to develop relationships that will help us supercharge growth to every corner of the UK.
"We're hitting the road to speak directly to community leaders and businesses, so that not a single opportunity is missed to generate trade and investment wins overseas.
"I am looking forward to building on today's roadshow discussions to showcase Wales on the international stage."
The Magor brewery is AB InBev's largest in the UK and produces leading brands such as Budweiser and Stella Artois.
The ambassador's visit aims to strengthen an already significant trade relationship.
Total trade between the UK and Belgium reached £60.7 billion in 2024, with Belgian investment stock in the UK close to £50 billion.
Several Welsh businesses benefit from this relationship.
Belgian companies such as Syensqo in Wrexham, What's Cooking in Deeside, and United Petfoods in Llangadog all operate in Wales, supporting jobs and growth in the region.
