The United Kingdom has appointed Lord John Hannett as its new Trade Representative to Sri Lanka, marking a strategic move to enhance bilateral trade and investment relations between the two nations.
As part of his role, Lord Hannett will work closely with senior stakeholders in both Sri Lanka and the UK, aiming to facilitate trade opportunities for British businesses, improve market access, and promote mutual economic growth.
British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, welcomed the appointment, expressing optimism about the potential benefits it will bring. “I am delighted to have appointed Lord Hannett as the UK Trade Representative to Sri Lanka. With his support, I look forward to further strengthening our bilateral trade relationship across key sectors, including education, financial and professional services, renewable energy, and IT-enabled services. This partnership will contribute to economic growth and prosperity for both our countries. I look forward to welcoming him to Sri Lanka in the near future,” he stated.
In response to his appointment, Lord Hannett expressed enthusiasm for the role, emphasizing the importance of fostering economic ties. “This is an important role, and I will be leading the UK’s trade relationship with Sri Lanka. I look forward to helping UK businesses seize market opportunities and generate long-term benefits for both our countries. I am eager to build on the strong trading relationship that already exists between Britain and Sri Lanka,” he said.
Who is Lord John Hannett?
Lord Hannett is a well-known British trade unionist and long-time advocate for workers’ rights. His work focuses on economic justice, labour policy, and fair employment practices, particularly within the Upper House of the British Parliament.
His appointment aligns with the UK’s broader trade and investment strategy, where trade envoys play a crucial role in strengthening commercial ties with key markets. Their responsibilities include promoting British business interests, negotiating trade deals, and facilitating investment opportunities.
The appointment of Lord Hannett signals a renewed focus on enhancing UK-Sri Lanka trade relations, particularly in sectors that offer high growth potential for both economies. With Sri Lanka actively seeking foreign investment and economic expansion, this move is expected to contribute significantly to strengthening trade cooperation and market opportunities between the two countries.
