Brexit will help UK in devising own trade policies: Diplomat

British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata Bruce Bucknell on Monday said Brexit will help the UK in devising its own trade policies with other countries.

Bucknell also said Britain's import policy with India had so far been "dictated" by the European Union (EU).

"EU has helped stop trade disputes among countries. However, Britain leaving the EU will help the country in getting more opportunities in trade with other countries. So, we left the EU," he said at a Federation of Indian Export Organisations event here.

"Our policy of imports from India had been dictated by the EU. Now, after Brexit, we hope duties on Indian rice will come down," Bucknell said.

The eastern region has a stronghold on tea and jute as well, he said.

On bilateral trade with India, Bucknell said it is growing at the "same rate of 14 per cent" registered in 2018.