David Cameron to talk trade and security on visit to South-east Asia

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by a group of UK business leaders

Business deals worth more than £750m will be sealed during David Cameron’s four-day tour of South-east Asia (Getty)

Business deals worth more than £750m will be sealed during David Cameron’s four-day tour of South-east Asia which begins in Indonesia today.

The Prime Minister, who will be accompanied by a group of UK business leaders on the trade mission, wants to boost economic links with a part of the world Downing Street believes has “untapped potential” for Britain.

Mr Cameron will also focus on the growing international threat posed by Isis during talks in Indonesia and Malaysia. He will also seek to build momentum for action to tackle climate change ahead of the United Nations summit in Paris at the end of the year. On his first trade mission since being returned to No 10 in May, Mr Cameron will also become the first British prime minister to visit Vietnam.

PM to discuss plans to tackle Isis with Indonesia and Malaysia

He said: “Over the next 20 years, 90 per cent of global growth is expected to come from outside Europe, and Britain must be poised to take advantage. That’s why I’m delighted to be taking British businesses to this vast and dynamic market.”

Mr Cameron said he would be making the case for an EU deal with the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) during talks with the group’s secretary general, Le Luong Minh. “Alongside an EU-US trade agreement, such deals would be like a shot in the arm for Europe’s economy,” Mr Cameron said.

Press Association