News

CWEIC is pleased to share a new opinion piece by our Chairman, Lord Marland, published today in The Telegraph, calling for a bold push towards a Commonwealth Free Trade Area.

In the article, Lord Marland highlights the enduring relevance of the Commonwealth and the significant economic potential rooted in shared legal systems, language and longstanding commercial ties. He emphasises the Commonwealth Advantage, noting that trade between member states is 21% cheaper and that the network includes some of the world’s fastest-growing markets and a youth population of over 1.5 billion.

With renewed focus from the Commonwealth’s leadership—including Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey—and Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to place trade at the centre of CHOGM 2026, Lord Marland argues that now is the moment for like-minded members to lead the way on reducing barriers and deepening economic cooperation.

Read the full article here.