Network set up to offset Brexit impact

The British Irish Gateway for Trade service will connect firms from either side of the Irish Sea, to promote more growth in trade between Ireland and the UK in the face of the Brexit challenge. Britain remains Ireland’s biggest trading partner, with business between the UK and the Republic supporting 400,000 jobs and generating €60bn, according to the BICC. BICC chairman, John McGrane, said. “At a time when businesses are preparing for Brexit, they appreciate a resource like BIG which helps them to grow their business by being introduced to more customers and suppliers across the UK and Ireland.” 

He continued: “2017 will focus all our minds on the importance of the trade between Britain and Ireland which supports over 400,000 jobs. Firms on both sides of the Irish Sea are looking for more trading opportunities and this new service supports the work of Chambers and the various state agencies to make those connections easier to find for businesses north south east and west.” 

The new service will be backed up by the resources of BICC and the input of enterprise supporters. The new service, which is free to use for members of trade organisations, is now open for registration at www.bigconnections.org. BICC is a private sector trade organisation, founded in 2011 to represent businesses and employers with interests in the two islands of Great Britain and Ireland. 

It says its mission is to highlight, protect and grow trade between Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.