Please join UKABC for a webinar update on opportunities for UK exporters to Southeast Asia following CPTPP's entry into force on 15 December 2024.
David Johnstone, DBT's Head of FTA Utilisation, will provide an update on the opportunities CPTPP brings for exporters of goods and services to CPTPP's Southeast Asia members of Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Vietnam. David will also introduce some of the DBT tools and practical support available to help companies succeed in the region.
The webinar will be moderated by Allen Lai, UKABC's ASEAN Director and will include an opportunity to ask questions.
Speakers
David
Johnstone
Head of FTA Utilisation at Department for Business and Trade
As Head of FTA Utilisation at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), David leads DBT’s work on ensuring that businesses are taking full advantage of the UK’s new FTAs. David was previously Head of Policy for Europe in the Export Support Service in the Department, where he focused on supporting exporters to adjust to the new post-Brexit trading relationship with the European Union. Prior to this, David was a relationship manager for a portfolio of multinational companies assessed as being of strategic importance to the UK Government, covering companies in the infrastructure, automotive, and defence sectors.
Before joining the Civil Service, David worked as a Public Affairs consultant for several years in Holyrood and Westminster, supporting companies across a broad range of sectors with the development and execution of their political strategies.
Based in Brunei, Allen drives the UKABC’s engagement with the region. He also curates the council’s corporate programmes, both in the UK and in Southeast Asia.
Allen has almost 20 years of experience working on geopolitical trade-related platforms in Asia. Before joining UKABC, he was involved in the planning, development, and execution of the APEC CEO Summit, Asia Pacific’s largest business event.
