From my recent visit to Afghanistan, I saw the tragic cost of almost 40 years of conflict, which has left Afghanistan one of the poorest and most fragile countries in the world. During my trip, I saw the tragic costs of poverty and what Britain is doing to create a more stable environment to help reduce poverty and make progress towards the Global Goals.

I saw first-hand Global Britain in action, a nation that is outward looking and a force for good across the world. The Department for International Development’s has pledged to spend up to £750 million in aid to Afghanistan between 2016 and 2020, the top three programmes are Economic Development, Basic Services and Humanitarian and Building Institutions.

Whilst I am pleased that UK foreign aid reduces the impact of poverty and instability in places like Afghanistan, I know that throughout history, free markets, job creation and growth have been the most influential factors in lifting thousands of people out of poverty. With more than half of all Afghans are living below the poverty line and over 2.5 million refugees or internally displaced people expected in 2020, I strongly believe that whilst Britain should continue helping the world’s most vulnerable, we should link to trade.

After five decades of membership and three years of Brexit negotiations, Britain has finally departed the European Union and we have a unique opportunity to redefine our relationship with the developing world. The removal of restrictive tariffs on goods from developing countries would mean cheaper imports, leading to increasing levels of trade and job creation. Not only could this mean cheaper foods for families across Britain but this additional trade would generate jobs and prosperity for developing countries, eventually lifting families out of poverty altogether.

Ultimately economic development is how we will help countries move beyond the need for aid, enabling them to stand on their own two feet and focus on developing their economies and society. Especially in counties afflicted with corruption. Trade would enable wealth to go straight into the hands of individuals and families, bypassing corruption in Governments and organisations.

Afghanistan can unlock value within a regional triangle, formed by landlocked but energy and resource-rich Central Asian republics, the growing populations of South Asia and Middle Eastern markets. Gas pipelines can sit alongside electricity transmission and data cables. Afghanistan is a new market with low levels of competition which create many opportunities, including a mining sector that worth up to USD 1 trillion and oil production work.

The Afghan economy remains heavily dependent on foreign aid. The aim is that it should become self-sufficient and private sector led over the next decade. When free from the threats of poverty this historic nation and people could help revolutionaries the world, and Britain should stand with our partners in the commonwealth, Central Asian and South Asia to help forge a better planet and a brighter future.

This is my vision for a post-Brexit Britain trading with the world. Afghanistan is just one country on a continent of 48 countries, many with similar problems that aid alone will not help them overcome. Asia is just one continent on a world that would all benefit hugely from free trade with the United Kingdom.

We should be proudly reaching out to the world and proposing new, bold trade deals with historic allies such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and the rising economic powers such as Brazil, India, China and Japan. We can now replace the EU Protectionist tariffs by governments enabling individuals and businesses to trade as freely as possible across the world to increase connectivity, prosperity and fight poverty.