News
25 Jan 2021

Video series encourages SMEs to act now on EU trade rules

joanna-drinkwater-1(889244)

A series of on-demand videos have been released for ?SMEs?in a drive to encourage?them?to?act now and follow the new rules?agreed as part of the?UK 's free trade agreement with the EU.??

?The videos, being rolled out by the Department for Business,?Energy?and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)?are designed to help?businesses?take advantage of the deal,?which?maintains zero tariffs and zero quotas on trade in goods between the UK and EU.???

One of the businesses who acted quickly on the advice was West Midlands chartered accountancy and business advisory firm Grant McKnight, who 's managing director Joanna Drinkwater is a Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce committee member.

Joanna (pictured) said: “We have been advising clients who need assistance?to prepare for the new rules to meet their individual business needs and my advice to?all?businesses?is?talk to your accountant - they will be best placed to help point you in the right direction?about what?you?should be doing now.

? “I used resources available to me through the?GOV.UK?website and I would urge businesses to use the government checklist and on-demand videos. I also used the?Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), including watching webinars on planning run by the ICAEW and the Chamber of Commerce.?

“I spoke to other members in practice to understand what other accountants are doing to best advise their clients. It 's helped us put together a checklist,?which we sent out to clients to help them manage the new trade arrangements. ”

Business sectors, including?SMEs?will find videos on 14 priority topics including:??

  • Importing and Exporting??
  • Placing and selling goods on the market
  • Trade agreements???
  • Operating?Online??
  • Data??
  • Tariffs??

Business?Minister?Paul?Scully has set out a checklist of key actions?all?business?may?need to take?relating to?exporting?goods,?professional qualifications,?hiring staff, business travel,?intellectual?property,?and accounting?and?reporting.??

Businesses that?registered for previous webinars will receive an email?encouraging them?to visit the new updated website.???

For more information click here.

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