§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to improve trade with the countries in membership of the Association of South East Asian Nations; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Channon[pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1985, c. 55]: My Department and the South-East Asia trade advisory group of the British Overseas Trade Board, on the basis of regular assessment, regard the Asean region as one of the most promising areas for trade in the world and give every encouragement to British exporters to explore the opportunities offered by the markets of those countries. I plan to visit a number of Asean countries, accompanied by a group of business men, starting on 20 June.
The wide range of services provided by the British Overseas Trade Board is available to British companies and these are being extensively used.