British International Freight Association (BIFA) director general, Robert Keen has urged the UK Government not to let Brexit uncertainties delay key logistics infrastructure decisions.
The association was commenting ahead of news about whether there will be a Queen’s Speech and the planned start of Brexit negotiations on Monday with the European Union.
Keen says: “The goalposts may well have moved since the results of the general election, but the playing field remains the same.
“There is uncertainty about when we will get a Queen’s Speech and when the Brexit negotiations will start, but there is no uncertainty about the date when the UK will leave the EU.
“The huge issues concerning international trade surrounding the Brexit negotiations have not changed, but we still feel that it is still too soon to be making speculative statements with so many unknowns.
“What we can state with certainty is that in their manifesto, the Conservatives pledged to invest £40 billion in transport infrastructure improvements, and expand Heathrow.”
He says those are not Brexit-dependant matters and would be useful for BIFA members who manage the movement of goods within domestic and international supply chains.
Kenn adds: “My advice is stop the procrastinating and make sure that the Queens Speech, whenever it is delivered, includes details about both the transport infrastructure improvements, and the expansion of UK aviation capacity.
“On Brexit, what I will say is that BIFA Members are pragmatic problem solvers so whatever is eventually designed to facilitate movement of goods between the UK and the EU post Brexit, they will be ready to do their utmost to try to ensure that visible trade is fluid at the borders.”
As Brexit negotiations about to start, BIFA says it is to appoint an additional trainer in customs and freight procedures.
Keen says customs procedures will be at the heart of the Brexit negotiations and BIFA is expecting an upsurge in inquiries on the subject as well as demand for training on the matter.
