News story

Underlining UK's lead in promoting trade by cutting red tape

An international conference, Inspection Reform: Breaking Down Barriers to Trade and Investment, will explore better ways to deliver regulation.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

An international conference in London next week (9 to 11 September) will underline the UK’s leading role in promoting trade and economic growth by cutting red tape.

Around 240 delegates from 57 nations, including Brazil, China and India, will attend Inspection Reform: Breaking Down Barriers to Trade and Investment at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Conference Centre in London.

Delegates will explore how changing the way regulation is delivered can support greater trust and confidence to trade and invest.

The conference is being organised by the UK Government Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO) and the World Bank Group in partnership with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and OECD, and with the support of the UK Department for International Development’s IFUSE programme and UKTI.

Topics the conference will address include:

  • strengthening international standards
  • building the capacity of front line regulators
  • transparent government and business-led reforms

Further details are provided in the delegate pack.

Business Minister Matthew Hancock said: “Britain is working hard to reduce regulation and make sure it doesn’t hinder the growth or prosperity of our businesses. Action taken by this government has already saved UK companies £1.5 billion a year, and we are on track to be the first government in modern history to leave office with fewer regulations than we found.

“The conference is a brilliant opportunity to share best practice and learn about successful reforms from across the globe. This dialogue will help us work together to create the best international environment where businesses of all shapes and sizes are free to thrive.”

BIS has world-leading expertise in improving the delivery of regulation to support business whilst providing necessary protections to citizens, the environment and the economy.

In the UK, BRDO operates Primary Authority, a flagship scheme to ensure consistent regulation, improve the professionalism of front-line regulators and give businesses a greater say in how they are regulated.

Published 3 September 2014