Wednesday 10th June 2020
With all the attention on Coronavirus recovery and the ‘Cummings and goings’ in Downing Street it would be easy to forget the steam train that is Brexit- coming down the track. The business community in Northern Ireland I believe, is even less prepared than we were perhaps 12 months ago when it was dominating the agenda.
Thankfully we have some very competent people including Dr Katy Hayward and Dr David Phinnemore from Queens University, keeping a close eye on proceedings. Equally the NI Brexit Advisory Group are working on behalf of all businesses to seek urgent clarity.
On Friday 5th June the NI Brexit Advisory Group issued a paper. This makes for scary reading in terms of the lack of preparation for the onslaught of Brexit in six months’ time. Considering the devastating impact Coronavirus has had on the global economy, not least in the UK, the audacity of the UK Government not even considering seeking an extension is incredible.
Despite being an avid ‘remainer’ I accept the decision was made to leave. I do not accept that we are in any fit state financially or from a regulatory perspective to face more monumental economic upheaval this year. Most businesses in our city and locality are fighting for their very survival now. Many of them have not yet been given clarity on when they can start re-trading again.
It is not acceptable that we still do not know what trade from NI to GB and vice versa will actually look like. It is not acceptable that from the smallest to the largest business in our economy, we have no idea how much extra, from a financial or a time perspective, doing trade with our nearest neighbours will cost us.
There is a major concern that in a no-deal scenario or indeed in a situation where the NI Protocols are not implemented in the spirit of the agreement; NI businesses will actually be at a disadvantage to similar businesses in GB or Ireland. This cannot happen.
We currently do not have the economic resilience to be at a disadvantage. Many of our successful local businesses have been built on the ability to do seamless trade in two jurisdictions and beyond.
I would urge all businesses, large and small, to get back across the Brexit issue and to start putting pressure on again. I would advise reading the Northern Ireland Brexit Working Group paper. It is set out in an easy to digest format. I will share it on my social media, or you can access it from Newry Chamber or Newry BID.
Back to Coronavirus and as mentioned at the time of writing I am deeply concerned about the lack of clarity coming forward for our retailers, hospitality and other sectors. Many businesses were prepped and ready to open on Monday 8th believing they fell within the category of business able to safely reopen. They were told at the eleventh hour that they couldn’t. This is not how the life blood of our economy deserves to be treated. I hope by the time of going to print the Executive has brushed up on the seven C’s of communication to provide clear, concise communications.
On another note during the week I was contacted by lots of local businesses about the column, some of whom I did not know. I am looking forward in the coming weeks, to letting you know about all the fantastic work going on in our local business community.
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