Commenting on the Electronic Trade Documents Bill introduced in the Queen’s Speech on 10 May 2022, BAB’s CEO Duncan Edwards made the following statement:

“BAB welcomes the inclusion of the Electronic Trade Documents Bill in the UK Government’s legislative agenda, as outlined in the 2022 Queen’s Speech. The Bill is a positive step towards modernizing trade documents to help support efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable trade.

“As an organization that has long advocated for the interests of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) active in the transatlantic corridor, we note the huge benefits this will have for smaller businesses across the UK. Digitalization will reduce the complexity of current paperwork requirements, as well as the time and transaction costs currently associated with paper-based documentation.

“Moreover, our community has advocated for further digitalization of trade documentation as part of the recent US-UK Dialogues on the Future of Transatlantic Trade in March and April. We are encouraged by the leading role the UK has now come to occupy on this front. We hope the successful passage of this Bill will serve as a catalyst for future digital trade solutions in the UK and in its trade with likeminded partners.”