In response to the new UK-EU trade agreement announced yesterday, Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chairman of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the development as a step toward reducing post-Brexit trade barriers.
“Barriers to trade do no-one any good. While full details are awaited, food exporters and importers among our membership will welcome the reduction in bureaucracy involved in moving shipments across borders. The amount of regulatory checks and paperwork involved up to now has simply created extra costs and time-consuming headaches for too many farmers, producers and supply chain businesses. The easing of the burden of red tape that was ushered in after Brexit will hopefully create more stability and scope for confidence in business investment on both sides of the Channel while time will be needed to gauge the extent of a net benefit. The establishment of a formal defence and security pact, with greater co-ordination between the UK and EU, will create opportunities for our many defence businesses here in Hampshire. Hopefully, this will mean easier, quicker access to European markets. Ultimately, the outcome we want to see from this agreement is economic growth so that our members can benefit and create jobs and prosperity.”
The agreement, revealed at the recent UK-EU Leaders’ Summit, was also welcomed by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), which has long called for a more streamlined and cooperative trade relationship between the UK and EU.
“Today’s summit marks a turning point in UK/EU relations which puts our trade relationship at the forefront of our partnership going forward.
“For four years, businesses have fought hard to sustain sales to the EU in the face of a rising tide of costs and paperwork which has severely dented their competitiveness.
“A permanent deal to remove unnecessary checks on food and drink exports in both directions is a huge boost; it will cut costs, reduce waste and increase sales.
“It was also essential that a defence and security pact was agreed to involve UK defence companies in wider projects to safeguard our democracies. It is vital now that work starts on agreeing access to joint procurement funding.
“Making quick progress on the use of E-gates at passport control will make life easier for businesspeople who cross EU borders on a regular basis and also boost UK tourism.
“This summit also saw encouraging movement on other issues that have long been a thorn in the side of many firms. A commitment to focus on securing a youth mobility scheme and linking our emission trading schemes will make life simpler and less costly for many businesses.
“The BCC had seven key asks of Government going into these negotiations which were based on four years of research and analysis involving thousands of firms.
“Today’s deal is good news on five of those. But we must not stop here, this agreement must be the foundation on which we aspire to build a much stronger business relationship going forward. That can only be of benefit to all our economies.”
The BCC’s TCA Four Years On report had set out 26 recommendations to improve UK-EU trade post-Brexit. It has previously been presented to both the UK Government and EU Ambassadors.
About Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is the independent voice of local business across the county and one of the largest regional business networks in the UK. With a strategic vision to ‘unlock Hampshire’s potential’, Hampshire Chamber brings together the combined influence, strength and expertise of the county’s three former major chambers. It works with over 2,000 individual firms spanning all sectors and sizes of business. Member services include training, advice, international trade documentation, events, networking opportunities and lobbying to policymakers on issues affecting business. Hampshire Chamber’s business network is designed to help any employer to grow and thrive irrespective of their stage on the enterprise journey.
About the British Chambers of Commerce - Where Business Belongs
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 51 Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of firms. It provides a unified voice for these companies, rooted in their communities, at the national level. We link our UK network with over 75 international member chambers, to promote trade and investment, and work for a better future for businesses around the world.
For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk