UK government announces extension of Commonwealth Standards Network funding to help boost trade and spread prosperity throughout the Commonwealth

10 October 2019

At the Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting on 10^th October 2019, the UK International Trade Minister Liz Truss announced £2.5m of additional UK Aid funding for BSI to deliver the next stage of Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN) from April 2020 to March 2021.

The additional funding will help the CSN continue its valuable work to promote the development and use of international standards in order to tackle non-tariff barriers to trade and support stakeholders in developing countries throughout the Commonwealth to access new markets and attract investment.

International Development Secretary, Alok Sharma said: "UK aid is vital in reducing barriers to trade and investment across the Commonwealth. Our work is helping developing countries to adopt international standards, attract inward investment that will see them become economically self-sustaining and, ultimately, our trading partners of the future."

BSI Director of Standards, Scott Steedman said: “BSI has overseen the successful development and delivery of the CSN since its inception in 2018 and we are delighted to have the opportunity to build upon that success with this additional UK Aid support. The funding will enable the CSN to continue its important work of promoting the development and use of international standards, which will support new, ambitions to trade, economic and development opportunities throughout the Commonwealth.”