The chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association met Chancellor Philip Hammond yesterday to discuss the role of British exports in the wake of Brexit.
David Frost was among a group of industry representatives to attend a roundtable in Westminster.
He said he emphasised the need for a “pragmatic, non-disruptive transition” followed by negotiations to secure “new trading deals that give us even better opportunities than those we have now”.
He added: “Scotch Whisky’s £4billion global exports make us Britain’s biggest single net goods exporter.
“Moreover, two thirds of our exports are outside the EU, so, while Brexit brings challenges, there are also opportunities.”
Mr Hammond said Britain had always been a “great trading nation” and pledged to do everything he could to help companies remain competitive outside the EU.
He added: “That means reminding the world that Britain is open for business and is committed to building strong trade and investment ties with key partners beyond the EU, including China and the US.
“UK exports are currently worth more than £500billion a year. We export more goods and services to countries outside the EU now, than to those in the union.
“It is vital we continue to build on this progress by strengthening our trade with markets around the world.”
The chancellor is stepping up business engagement in the run-up to the Autumn Statement on November 23.
Next week, he will meet major British firms to discuss productivity.
Also present at yesterday’s meeting were Paul Kahn, president of Airbus Group UK, and Geoffrey de Mowbray, co-Chairman of the British Exporters Association, among others.
According to the Treasury, the UK’s most successful exports include financial services (3.5% of GDP in 2015), machinery (3.3%), vehicles (2.4%) and pharmaceuticals (1.3%).
