Jersey's new Chief Minister holds first trade talks with MP Greg Hands

The UK's Minister for Trade Policy has visited Jersey and met the island's new Chief Minister.

MP Greg Hands last travelled to the island in September 2021 for a two-day tour.

He met with Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, to discuss how the island could benefit from trade agreements. It was Deputy Farnham's first official engagement in his new role.

The Minister for Trade also met with local businesses to talk about how the UK can support them, including a potato farm in St Ouen to understand the unique problems farmers face in the Crown Dependencies.

Mr Hands also visited Guernsey yesterday (Thursday 1 February) and spoke to local politicians about how the Bailiwick can support the UK Trade Deal.

There have been concerns about trade between the Channel Islands and the UK following Brexit.

Mr Hands visited Guernsey Post, the headquarters of Specsavers and Guernsey Finance.

He said: "What we're trying to do is get the Crown Dependencies into as many of these trade agreements as we can.

"We're actively negotiating at the moment with the Gulf Cooperation Council and making sure that the Crown Dependencies get into that trade agreement."

This is the first time Mr Hands has visited Guernsey and during his time in the island he met Guernsey's new Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Trott, and other members of political committees.

Deputy Trott said: "The visit provided an opportunity to discuss how our financial services industry contributes significantly to the UK economy as well as to trading partners around the world.

"We had the opportunity to discuss a range of topics with Minister Hands as to what our priorities are in terms of our existing economy and how we position ourselves for the future."