Business Groups call for Treaty clarity ahead of July deadline

The Business Advisory Group is meeting with Government and intends to raise a number of treaty-related concerns on behalf of the business community.

These include financial assistance, written guidance and import procedures.

In a joint letter sent by the Federation of Small Business, the Chamber of Commerce and business representatives, the groups call for urgent action to ensure businesses are ready for treaty implementation on the 15th July. 

The groups say there is a continued lack of clear, comprehensive and accessible written guidance around procedures and requirements. They want detailed guidance on importation processes, EORI/NIF requirements, transitional arrangements, freight arrangements and proposed financial guarantees related to IVA liabilities.

Acknowledging financial support measures from the government such as tax deducations, business rates relief, recruitment support and a commercial rent moratorium, the organisations say the measures may not go far enough, with many goods-based businesses already facing significant cost pressures. 

They also want greater transparency on projected revenues of the transaction tax to understand whether the support is proportionate. The groups propose a Treaty Office to support businesses through the transition.