On 11th February, Lord Sheikh delivered the opening remarks at the virtual trade mission organised by DMA, the Côte d’Ivoire Chamber in Great Britain and Department for International Trade. 

Lord Sheikh closed the opening session by announcing the new APPG on Côte d’Ivoire, which he will chair, and will be a significant step in in strengthening ties between the two countries for mutual benefit, to increase political collaboration and mobilise trade and investment. He cited that bilateral trade between the UK and Côte d’Ivoire was £401m in 2019 and that there are many opportunities to add value in-country, develop education links, sustainable agriculture, and green and Islamic finance.