UK turns to emerging markets for trade

Govt promises improved access to markets for the poorest countries

Britain is turning to the world’s poorest countries to shore up trade as Brexit puts existing deals on an uncertain footing.

The government promises improved access to UK markets for the world’s poorest countries and to maintain existing duty-free access for “everything but arms” for 48 countries including Bangladesh, Sierra Leone and Haiti, according to an emailed statement from the prime minister’s office.

Britain will also seek to expand relationships with nations including Jamaica, Pakistan and Ghana. After decades of access to the European Union’s single market, the UK now has to strike out alone, following the 2016 vote to