Shannon Chamber, via Chambers Ireland, is monitoring events in Westminster, as well as the negotiations as they take place in Brussels. With only eight months to the UK’s formal exit from the EU, and just over three months to make enough progress on agreeing on the terms of a Withdrawal Agreement, so that a transition can be put in place. Shannon Chamber advices members to “prepare for the worst, while hoping or the best”.
Chambers Ireland has been advocating for the interests of Irish business and meeting with;
- Minister Humphreys as part of the DBEI Forum on Brexit and Global Challenges
- An Tánaiste Simon Coveney at the DFAT Brexit Stakeholders Forum
- Northern European Coastal Chamber Alliance (NECCA), where we were briefed by members of the Taskforce 50 team (June 2018)
- Eurochambres Brexit Working Group, where were also briefed by the Taskforce 50 team and the Brexit Preparedness Unit (July 2018)
Shannon Chamber would advise members to:
- Review your supply chain and map out imports and exports to and from the UK
- Assess the impact of tariffs on a worst case and best case scenario
- Identify the level of customs awareness within the Company
- Assess the potential increase in the costs of customs compliance
- Look at applying for Trusted Trader Status
What Happens Next? Preparing for Brexit
Looking ahead, the next few months will be crucial if negotiating teams are to reach agreement on the Withdrawal to enable a transition to be in place following March 2019. Negotiations are taking place in Brussels this week and will continue to do so right up to the next EU Council meeting in October where the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement will have to be in place so that it can be ratified ahead of the March 2019 deadline.
Government and State Agencies have made available a wide range of resources to help businesses prepare for Brexit.
Think Global
In the meantime, the EU continues to finalise new trade deals, namely those with Mexico and Japan, both of which have opportunities for Irish business. Innovating and internationalising must be part of how Irish businesses prepares for Brexit. The following links have more information.
We Want to Hear From You
Please engage with Shannon Chamber and give us any feedback on what specific investments or infrastructure supports you feel are needed to get your company ready for Brexit, specially relating to ports/road/airports etc. We will then raise these matters with Chambers Ireland on your behalf.
Members who have any questions about the above or about Brexit generally, please contact hdownes@shannonchamber.ie directly.
