| David Campbell British High Commissioner To Brunei Darussalam |
ON JUNE 23, the British people voted to leave the European Union (EU). British Prime Minister Theresa May has been clear: Brexit means Brexit and we are going to make a success of it.
Some international commentators have suggested that Britain is in retreat, that Brexit is a sign of the UK turning in from the world. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The UK is one of the most influential countries in the world, and is a force for good. Our economy – the world’s fifth largest – grew most among the G7 in 2014, and was one of the two fastest growing major advanced economies (with the US) last year. We are an open, trading nation and the world’s fifth largest importer.
We are a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a member of the G7, the G20 and NATO. The UK and Brunei Darussalam are fellow members of the Commonwealth. We play leading roles in all these organisations. We were the first (and so far only) member of the G7 to increase our international development assistance to the UN target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income – a commitment now enshrined in UK law.
We are committed to working with others to help ensure a safer, healthier and more prosperous world. We lead international efforts to tackle global challenges – for example, the Ebola virus, anti-microbial resistance, modern slavery, tax transparency and corruption. We are making major military, security, political and humanitarian contributions to the counter-Daesh coalition.
David Campbell, British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam. – BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
We have committed to keep our defence spending – already the second highest in NATO and the highest in the EU – at 2 per cent of GDP. Our armed forces and security and intelligence agencies are respected globally. Our longstanding defence and security links with Brunei include the Garrison at Seria, UK experts on loan to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and many training attachments.
The UK economy is not only large, but fundamentally strong and attractive. Employment is at a record high. Unemployment at 4.9 per cent is at its lowest rate since 2005. Capital requirements for our largest banks are now ten times higher than before the banking crisis.
The UK is the highest ranked major economy in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index. It is one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business, with strong rule of law, low corporate tax, a skilled and flexible workforce and world-beating financial, insurance, and tech services. London is the acknowledged tech start-up capital of Europe.
All of which explains why over one fifth of all foreign direct investment into Europe has been coming to the UK. Since the EU referendum, GlaxoSmithKline has decided to invest £275M (B$495M)to expand its UK manufacturing sites and Japanese technology firm Softbank has announced a £24B (B$43B) investment into the UK.
The UK is open for business and open for people. A record 36 million visited us in 2015. As hundreds of Bruneian students prepare to begin their UK studies or return to their courses, they will be joining around 500,000 students from 200 countries. Four of the world’s top eight universities are in the UK. The UK ranks second in the world for the quality of its scientific and research institutions.
The UK has a reputation as a sports mad nation. The Premier League is the most watched football league in the world. Tournaments such as Wimbledon attract global audiences. At Rio 2016, Great Britain came second on the overall medals table, beating our previous record haul at London 2012.
Arts and culture are integral to British society and a key soft power strength. Sherlock, Adele and Harry Potter are known around the world. Our creative industries, worth £84.1B (B$151B) a year, have been our fastest growing economic sector. The UK is seen by trend forecasters as a key market for companies looking to develop global brands and products.
Britain will continue to thrive and to prosper; to be a reliable ally and trusted partner, its innovation and creativity undiminished. Our vision is to be an open, diverse, tolerant, dynamic and outward facing country. Whilst our future relationship with the EU is still to be determined, the UK will always remain a globally engaged country and will look to strengthen our ties with traditional friends such as Brunei Darussalam.
The post Brexit: The UK will continue to thrive and prosper appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.