Gateway2Britain

Flemish companies suffer a significant loss of sales due to the Brexit. The average turnover loss for Flemish companies as a result of the Brexit amounted to 6 % in 2020, which combined with increased logistics costs, caused a significant financial impact.

Not only does the Brexit cause financial and administrative burdens for trading partners and authorities on both sides of the Canal, but also international supply chains are thoroughly disrupted. The difficulties include the multitude of stakeholders involved (customs, companies, terminals, forwarders, shipping companies, etc.), the transparency of the data on goods transactions and the complexity and multitude of formalities to be completed.

FLANDERS AS AN IMPORTANT GATEWAY

Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO), in close collaboration with Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT), appointed VIL and Deloitte to develop a proposal with an action plan for a global solution for the benefit of companies directly and indirectly involved in trade with the UK.

Innovative digital application

On june 6th 2023 Gateway²Britain was announces as an innovative digital application that will bring visibility and transparency for trading with Flanders into one place. It is being delivered by a partnership between Port of Antwerp-Bruges, VLAIO (Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship), Flanders Investment & Trade and Deloitte (technical delivery partner), in close cooperation with the Belgian Customs authorities. Their aim is to make trade between Flanders and Britain as frictionless as possible.