Coronavirus andBrexit concernsfor exporters

THE Irish Exporters Association, in partnership with Rhenus Logistics, Iarnród Éireann and Fleet Transport Magazine, held a round-table discussion with businesses from around the county on transport infrastructure and services for exporters in the South East.

The meeting was facilitated by Wexford Chamber and gave local companies the chance to express their views on export channels available.

‘ The discussions come at a crucial time for exporters,’ said Simon McKeever, Chief Executive of the Irish Exporters Association (IEA). ‘Brexit and now more immediately the coronavirus are pressing issues that need urgent attention from Government. Concerns are growing amongst businesses about the rapidly evolving magnitude of the impact caused by disruption to highly integrated supply chains.

‘I would like to thank County Wexford Chamber and our sponsors Rhenus Logistics, Iarnród Éireann and Fleet Transport Magazine for facilitating these important conversations,’ he said.

CEO of Wexford Chamber Fiona Lewis agreed that coronavirus is a significant concern for all business owners.

‘ There was significant engagement among the attendees around the need for robust plans to counteract the effects of Covid-19 and Brexit,’ she said. ‘Both of these events were highlighted as the two most pressing areas of concern for the exporters and those engaged and reliant on the export market.’

The round-table is the first in a whole host of events organised by the IEA, focusing on trade compliance, the green supply chain, Brexit and market diversification, which will run until the end of October.