The Chief Minister will try to drum up trade for the Isle of Man at an event in London next week.

Howard Quayle MHK will head a delegation at the Commonwealth Business Forum.

He will be accompanied by Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise, and representatives from the island’s business community.

The event is a part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

Prime Minister Theresa May is set to welcome ministers and business leaders to the City on April 16 to discuss trade and investment opportunities.

Developing stronger economic ties with Commonwealth nations is Manx government policy.

Members of the Manx delegation will take part in a series of events, workshops and panel discussions in London, exploring key topics such as harnessing technology and innovation, attracting inward investment and accessing modern financial services.

Mr Quayle, who represented the Isle of Man at a Commonwealth trade event in the Gold Coast last week, said: ’Brexit will bring great change to the economic landscape and the Isle of Man must position itself to take advantage of new opportunities. I believe there is value in developing our ties with the Commonwealth, which offers a global network of markets the island’s economy is well placed to support.’

Mr Skelly added: ’As a leading international business centre, we are constantly striving to attract fresh investment and jobs for our people. The island has a great story to tell and by attending the Commonwealth Business Forum we will be able to promote our economy to a worldwide audience.’

The Isle of Man became a strategic partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) in 2017. The Chief Minister has taken part in meetings of the CWEIC Advisory Board, while island-based software development business PDMS Ltd has been selected as a Commonwealth Export Champion.

Chris Allen, president of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, said: ’It is in all our interests to raise awareness of the island and how our economy supports global trade.

’Building on our links with the Commonwealth will open up new possibilities and this joint delegation to London is an example of the public and private sectors working together to achieve positive results.’