BREXIT support for business is being stepped up in the West Midlands to help them prepare for the end of the transition period.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and regional Chambers of Commerce – including Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (CWCC) – are working together to scale up existing support.
The programme, available between this month and February, 2021, gives local businesses access to a choice of 24 fully-funded international trade-focused training courses, 15 free webinars featuring guest experts on all aspects of preparing for 2021, one-to-one support with customs and export documentation-related queries, and digital resources including business briefings, checklists and videos on key topics.
The UK left the EU on January 31 and entered a transition period during which nothing has changed practically for businesses. This transition period will end on December 31, and the New Year will bring a significant number of changes for businesses across trade with the EU, employing non-UK citizens and more.
The UK and EU are currently negotiating a potential trade deal, with both sides agreeing that a deal needs to be done by October. The UK has ruled out requesting an extension to negotiations.
The UK government has released guidance on a number of areas, including the UK’s immigration system, border operating model and import tariffs post-Brexit.
Louise Bennett, CWCC chief executive, said: “It is critical that local businesses explore and understand the impact of the EU transition on their business, whether they import or export or, maybe, sit in a supply chain of import/export that could affect their goods in and out of their business.
“The Chambers of Commerce in the West Midlands, working with the West Midlands Combined Authority and Elected Mayor, are here to help and offer advice and support on export and customs documentation and more.”
Visit https://tinyurl.com/y2krtm66 for more information about the support available.
