Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK last night (Tuesday 3 April 2018) attended the launch of the 2018 Commonwealth Games Trade and Investment Programme.
The event on the Gold Coast provided a forum for government and industry leaders throughout the Commonwealth to strengthen relationships and discuss business opportunities.
It was the first in a series of trade and investment meetings being held across Queensland as countries and territories gather in Australia for the 21st Commonwealth Games.
The Chief Minister represented the Isle of Man at the Trade 2018 launch as part of the Government’s targeted programme of political and economic engagement.
The Isle of Man is a strategic partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) and is working to develop closer economic ties with Commonwealth nations.
The Chief Minister is heading an Island delegation attending the Commonwealth Business Forum in London later this month. The event is an integral part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, which is being held in the UK for the first time in 20 years.
Mr Quayle will be accompanied in London by Laurence Skelly, Minister for Enterprise, and representatives from a number of successful Island business sectors.
Contributing to the Business Forum will help the Isle of Man to raise its profile around the Commonwealth, which comprises 53 member states representing the interests of more than 2.6 billion people.
The Chief Minister took time out during a privately-funded trip to the Commonwealth Games to attend the Trade 2018 launch on behalf of the Isle of Man Government.
He said:
‘This event provided an opportunity to promote greater awareness of the Isle of Man as a leading international business centre. The Commonwealth offers access to a global network of markets that the Island is particularly well placed to support. We are working to develop closer economic links with countries around the world, with the aim of opening up new trade, investment and employment opportunities for our people.’
