Businesses are being advised to accelerate their preparations for Brexit and avail of State supports.
Minister for Business, Heather Humphreys, made the appeal on a visit to fruit grower Keelings, who have engaged in extensive preparations.
Keelings is a major employer in the north Dublin region, employing over 2,300 people, and growing €30 million worth of produce on 500 acres. The group sells produce in 12 countries, including Ireland, the UK, China, Sweden and France.
The company has attended a customs information event, availed of the Enterprise Ireland Brexit SME Scorecard and the Act On initiative.
"Once we realised there was a potential for a no-deal Brexit, Keelings undertook a risk assessment for the business, engaging with Bord Bia's risk diagnostic tool," said Caroline Keeling, CEO of Keelings.
"As a fresh produce company, supply chain speed is vitally important to our business. While maintaining the UK land-bridge is critically important, we have planned for a series of contingency transport routes throughout mainland European ports, to ensure we maintain customer service and freshness."
The most immediate consequences of a hard Brexit are likely to be currency movements, supply chain constraints, delays, duties and tariffs. This would put a strain on the working capital position of businesses.
One of the Government's suite of supports is the €300 million Brexit Loan Scheme, which is designed to address working capital challenges brought about by Brexit. Under the Scheme, loans of up to €1.5 million are available at a rate of 4% or less, with loans of up to €500,000 available on an unsecured basis. Similarly, the €300 million Future Growth Loan Scheme is designed to support strategic long-term investment in SMEs in a post-Brexit environment.
Minister Humphreys said Ireland has been faced with an economic and political hurdle that poses real risks to the future of our businesses and ultimately Irish jobs, through no fault of our own.
She acknowledged that it is extremely frustrating for businesses that at this late hour, we still can't say when and in which circumstances the UK will leave the EU.
"I fully accept that the lack of clarity complicates our Brexit contingency planning. I also accept that it is incredibly difficult for businesses to plan for a situation that remains so unclear. Notwithstanding this, there are certain steps you can take now.
"As things stand today, a crash-out is less than 9 weeks away, and while we hope it never comes to that, we can’t afford to take any risks. Against this backdrop, I am appealing to you to act now to help protect your business and your employees," the minister said.
The Government’s suite of Brexit supports include preparedness vouchers and consultancy and mentoring supports, tariff advisory services, research on new markets and innovation supports through Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices and InterTrade Ireland, as well as two loan schemes, the €300m Brexit Loan Scheme and the €300m Future Growth Loan Scheme. Supports and advice are also available from the National Standards Authority of Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority, IDA Ireland, Revenue, Skillnet Ireland, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, Bord Bia and Failte Ireland.
The minister strongly urged businesses to familiarise themselves with these supports. She also urged them to look at their supply chains, customs procedures, certification, and standards and licensing processes; consider currency volatility; and register with customs for an EORI number.
