Brexit and Covid could be the opportunities businesses need to start trading worldwide – once they become used to the red tape that now stifles exports to Europe, according to an expert.
And Stuart Seabrook, of freight forwarder and warehousing group Seabrooks, says that major new possibilities are already opening up for companies to trade internationally, with the costs of shipping goods to markets like China cheaper than the EU
“I’m quite optimistic,” said Seabrook, one of the panellists on Insider’s Brexit forum next week. “The EU has been a good market, but there are even bigger ones out there, and although it’s painful at the moment, for many exporters in the long run this could be a positive step. Brexit has got them thinking about what other markets they can approach.
“Exporting to Europe has become a lot harder, and a lot of businesses were unprepared. But once they get their heads around the paperwork now needed, they’ll be in a good place to handle the systems for trading with the rest the world.
“Meanwhile Covid has forced businesses to develop websites to market and sell goods directly, because many traditional retail routes have stopped. Those website are easily scalable internationally. Put that together with a new understanding on how to handle trading worldwide and the possibilities are huge.”
Seabrook is is one of six panellists on Insider’s free to view online forum Brexit, which will set out practical advice on developing and continuing trade with the EU post-Brexit.
The others are:
- Andrea Collins, international trade specialist, Business Gateway Growth Hub
- Lucy Sutcliffe, director of national customs duty, Azets
- Robert Capper, head of commercial, Harrison Clark Rickerbys
- Udy Agarwal, managing director, USB International
- Ian Kirkpatrick
Over an hour’s free-to-view discussion, they’ll look at the practical steps needed to trade successfully with businesses in the EU, relaying their experiences and taking your questions.
To book your place for free click here.
