UK-Canada manufacturing alliance agreed by Make UK and CME
The alliance is a major boost to economic co-operation between companies in both countries. Together the bodies reach around 120,000 businesses.
The agreement follows a joint statement by the Prime Ministers of both countries in June and is aimed at increasing future bilateral trade and economic co-operation in critical areas such as rare earth minerals, nuclear technology and artificial intelligence.
There will also be a particular focus on defence and security collaboration, an area where both countries having strong defence industries.
At a practical level, as well as sharing information on science, technology and innovation the two organisations will focus on promoting trade, investment and commercial exchanges among member companies. Canada is currently the 16th largest trading partner for the UK and 13th largest export destination for UK goods with trade already worth £6.5 billion a year.
The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Ottawa by Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK and Dennis Darby, the CEO of CME. It was signed in the presence of the British High Commissioner to Canada, Rob Tinline and The Canadian Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu.
Phipson, said: “This is a welcome agreement which reflects the longstanding and, historic, relations between the UK and Canada on trade and other areas of co-operation. Make UK and CME have developed a strong relationship over many years, supporting the efforts of UK and Canadian manufacturers to invest, create jobs and develop supply chain connectivity.
“Today’s agreement will now look to make the most of this historic connection through this industry partnership to boost ties between manufacturers in both countries and support the ambition of both governments to increase investment and collaboration in vitally important technologies.”
Darby added: “Canada and the United Kingdom have an opportunity to build one of the world’s most innovative and resilient industrial partnerships. Moving forward, we see real opportunities to deepen collaboration in advanced manufacturing, clean technology, and defence procurement. Canadian manufacturers are ready to lead alongside our UK partners, and we are eager for both governments to seize this moment for bold, forward-looking growth to support our sector.”
Make UK, The Manufacturers’ Organisation, is the representative voice of UK manufacturing, with offices in London and Brussels. Collectively it represents 20,000 companies of all sizes, from startups to multinationals, across engineering, manufacturing, technology and the wider industrial sector.
CME is a member-driven association representing thousands of companies nationwide, more than 85 per cent of which are small and medium-sized enterprises. CME touches more than 100,000 companies from coast to coast to coast engaged in manufacturing, global business and service-related industries.