The UK has launched a new trade platform, Maritime Connects, to help it boost its trade with other Commonwealth countries.

The digital platform, launched by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), aims to help companies identify and network with potential new customers, suppliers and partners across various sectors, including professional and financial services, manufacturing, wholesale and retail.

The members-only platform, will use business matching technology to automatically provide companies with targeted leads based on their user profile information.

According to the platform developer AMPP, some 11,000 companies including Barclays, UPS and Tata Communications have already joined as commercial partners.

The CWEIC was set up in 2014 with a mandate to facilitate increased trade and investment across the Commonwealth.