This will mean 99 per cent of goods imported from Africa under the scheme will enter the United Kingdom duty free, an official press release said.

DCTS covers 65 countries across Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, including some of the poorest countries in the world.

“As an independent trading nation, we are taking back control of our trade policy and making decisions that back UK businesses, help with the cost of living, and support the economies of developing countries around the world,” UK international trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said launching the scheme.

A wide variety of products—from clothes and shoes to foods that aren’t widely produced in the United Kingdom—will benefit from lower or zero tariffs under the new scheme.

It will ensure that British businesses can benefit from more than £750 million per year of reduced import costs, leading to more choice and lower costs for UK consumers to help with the cost of living.

“UK businesses can look forward to less red-tape and lower costs, incentivising firms to import goods from developing countries,” Trevelyan said.

The scheme removes some seasonal tariffs, meaning more options for British supermarkets and shops all year round.

The scheme also simplifies complex trade rules such as rules of origin, making it easier for many businesses in developing countries to export and play a larger role in the global trade community, the release added.

This drive includes a new initiative called Platinum Partnerships, designed to grow trade between the United Kingdom and selected lower and middle-income Commonwealth countries and reduce dependency on aid. The partnerships will strengthen two-way green trade and investment, helping countries’ adaptation to climate change.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)