Border region exporters preparing for impact of Brexit

THE looming impact of Brexit on exporters in the border region was the focus of a major seminar held in Dundalk last week.

The event titled ‘ What now for the border region? Securing the interests of Irish Exporters in the North East’ attracted over 90 exporters and manufacturing companies from all over the region.

The expert advisory panel with keynote address from Tony Buckley, Assistant Secretary & Deputy Director General of Customs at Revenue, advised attendees of the opportunities and challenges for the border region from a Revenue perspective and preparing for Brexit.

Simon McKeever, Chief Executive of the Irish Exporters Association said: ‘ The North-East of the country is an extremely important export location. It has the distinct advantage of being nationally connected with rail and road networks and internationally connected with access to Dublin Port and Dublin Airport, proximity to Northern Ireland and the Midlands.’

Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor/Director, Fleet Transport said: ‘With Dundalk equidistant between Dublin and Belfast, the location of the IEA Supply Chain event is most interesting from a supply chain point-ofview, particularly in the advent of Brexit.

Also, as the M1/A1 is the motorway transiting route for exports and imports on the Eastern coastline, issues relating to shipping, logistics and international haulage will come into the discussion spotlight.’

Cian McMahon, MACFAB Systems added: ‘With global protectionism and Brexit looming it’s more important than ever for companies to diversify their supply chain.’