§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the key functions of the British Overseas Trade Board; when the board was established; by what authority; and if she will list the names of the chairman and the secretary. [9628]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe key function of the British Overseas Trade Board—BOTB—is to act as principal adviser to the Department of Trade and Industry and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on overseas trade and the official export promotion programme.
Set up in 1972 by the then Minister of Trade, the board draws on the experience of senior British business people to help improve the export performance of UK industry and commerce, guide the Government's export promotion efforts, including the provision of export services, and provide advice on policy issues affecting international trade promotion.
The current chairman is Sir Martin Laing CBE and the secretary is Dr. Denis Walker.