Yahoo Finance Javid: Single Market Access 'Number One Priority'
The Business Secretary has said maintaining access to the single market was his "number one priority" as he moved to calm concern among industry leaders in the wake of Brexit.
Sajid Javid insisted that the UK was still "open for business" and that the British economy remained "fundamentally strong".
He was chairing a meeting more than 20 representatives from the UK's largest trade sectors for the first roundtable meeting since the EU referendum.
He said the biggest issue raised at the forum was about continued access to the single market.
"My number one priority will be just that in the negotiations to come," he said.
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He added that the Government will work together with businesses to help them through the "challenging times ahead".
But he said: "We are more than well-placed to get through them," adding: "The UK is still very much open for business."
He announced he would lead a series of trade missions to meet inward investors and said he had been contacted by Australian and South Korean officials in recent days wanting trade talks.
Mr Javid's speech to business leaders came as he confirmed he will be supporting Stephen Crabb in his Conservative leadership bid.
Both men backed the Remain side although Mr Javid faced claims he was privately in favour of leaving the EU.
After the meeting, he said businesses wanted to see political leadership.
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CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn said business leaders displayed high levels of concern at the meeting with Mr Javid.
"The Government must communicate and demonstrate that the UK is open for business and investment, including by keeping critical infrastructure projects and spending decisions on track," she said.
"We must give urgent long-term reassurance to the thousands of EU migrants already working in the UK that they can stay here.
"A visible commitment to openness must be at the heart of our new relationship with the EU.
"In practice this means tariff and barrier free access to the single market; maintaining trade deals around the world; attracting and keeping skills; and working out the trade-offs between these three."
