Export opportunities outside the EU continue to increase for British entrepreneurs as the UK continues its transition to leave the European Union.
The news comes as exports of goods and services to the rest of the world were higher than UK exports to the EU for the ninth year running, according to figures published by ONS.
In the second calendar year following the EU referendum, exports to non-EU countries amounted to around £342 billion in 2017, showing a continued worldwide demand for British goods and services.
Exports to EU countries were around £274 billion in 2017.
The fastest growing export market for the UK since 2010 has been Oman, with exports increasing by 354% to £3 billion.
This was followed by Macedonia (FYROM) with UK trade growing by 318% to £1 billion, and Kazakhstan which was up by 210% to £2 billion.
International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox MP said: “British goods remain in global demand as exports to non-EU countries continue to grow in markets such as Oman.
“It shows the confidence the world has in our goods and is important as 90% of global trade will come from outside EU.
“As an international economic department, we have a dynamic and experienced team who will negotiate free trade deals and make a success of Brexit.
“We’re also supporting UK businesses in exporting more and talking to international businesses on why we should be the top destination for investment through our GREAT campaign.”
The figures also reveal that overall exports of goods rose by 13% to £339 billion in 2017, while overall exports of services rose by 7% to £277 billion.
The USA remains the UK’s top export market, buying over £112 billion worth of goods and services in 2017, an increase of 8% since 2016
The news is promising as separate ONS figures show that UK exports overall rose by 5% in the year to end May 2018.
The UK also attracted more than 2,000 foreign direct investment projects in financial year 2017 to 2018.
The figures come as Japanese cabinet minister Toshimitsu Motegi welcomed the UK’s recent announcement that it is looking to seek potential accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Mr Motegi said that Japan would “spare no efforts to support the UK” in a meeting with Dr Liam Fox yesterday.
Dr Liam Fox met Motegi, who is responsible for CPTPP, as part of a visit to Japan, the UK’s closest partner in Asia.