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<p>It is important that we continue to look at reducing trade barriers bilaterally
which will benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We are doing this through
our current Working Groups with countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand,
and India. Intra Commonwealth trade in goods and services is estimated to be $560bn
and projected to reach $700bn by 2020.</p><p>In addition, the Department participated
actively throughout the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in
London where my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade announced
policies to help boost intra-Commonwealth trade. This included the launch of the Commonwealth
Standards Network to increase the use of international standards across the Commonwealth,
which will support private and public-sector users of standards, including SMEs. A
trade facilitation programme was also announced which provides technical assistance
to selected countries in implementing the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation
Agreement.</p>
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