Gateway2Britain

Flemish companies have experienced a substantial decline in sales due to Brexit. In 2020, the average turnover loss for Flemish companies due to Brexit was 6%. This, along with increased logistical costs, has had a significant financial impact.

The repercussions of Brexit go beyond financial and administrative burdens for trading partners and authorities on both sides of the Channel. International supply chains have been severely disrupted. The challenges include multiple stakeholders involved (customs, companies, terminals, forwarders, shipping companies, etc.), lack of transparency in goods transaction data, and the complexity of formalities required.

FLANDERS AS AN IMPORTANT GATEWAY

Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO), in close collaboration with Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT), has tasked VIL and Deloitte with developing a proposal and action plan for a global solution that benefits companies directly and indirectly involved in trade with the UK.

Innovative digital application

On June 6th, 2023, Gateway²Britain was announced as an innovative digital application that will centralize visibility and transparency for trading with Flanders. It will be delivered through a partnership between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, VLAIO (Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship), Flanders Investment & Trade, and Deloitte (the technical delivery partner), in close cooperation with the Belgian Customs authorities. They aim to make trade between Flanders and Britain as smooth as possible.