ITALY - UK PARTNERS

PARTNERSHIP | Spring 2020 02 | THE PRESIDENT’S PERCEPTION Dear readers, A clock projected on the Downing Street door will tick down to 23:00 GMT on January 31st to mark the historic moment the UK leaves the European Union. A commemorative 50p piece will be put into circulation bearing the motto “peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” - a statement we hope will prove auspicious in years to come. I frequently hear the business community ask: where are we now with Brexit, and how do I prepare for it? Indeed, many businesses express real concerns about not being aligned enough with the rest of the EU going towards Brexit and beyond. A “no deal Brexit”, which could have led to unprecedented repercussions on economic operators in the UK looks unlikely. Existing EU legislation will continue to apply to the UK during the transition period from January 31st to December 31st 2020. An extension of this transition period also looks unlikely. Businesses can now expect either a trade deal with the EU on January 1st 2021, or the less likely possibility of a no trade deal. In both scenarios, it would be useful to have a pre-prepared business plan for the event of a “no deal Brexit” this time next year. Even if a trade deal is struck by December 31st 2020, the agreement will most likely be limited to the trade of goods, leaving aside crucial issues such as the free movement of services. It is important to understand the impact of the Withdrawal Agreement for your company and industry.The transition period will keep things as they are until December this year. After that, there will be changes for which preparation will be crucial once the regulatory effects of a possible subsequent trade deal between the UK and the EU become clear. Whilst the UK’s entrance to the EU was marked by the chimes of Big Ben, we will not hear the famous bongs on January 31st to commemorate Brexit. Plans by ardent Brexiteers to interrupt restoration works for Big Ben to bong have failed to gather momentum and support. Perhaps this lack of appetite for mass celebrations is reflective of a nation still greatly divided by Brexit. The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK is an independent, non-profit making network organisation, and has been dedicated to its members since 1886. Today, the Chamber has around 500 members, representing not only Italian companies, but also British and European, interested in strengthening their ties with Italy or expanding to a new market. The Italian Chamber hosts many events for its members and the Italian community here in the UK. For more information about the Chamber and membership, please see: www.italchamind.eu or contact the Secretariat by phone on +44 (0)20 7495 8191, or by email info@italchamind.org.uk Join our online networks today on Facebook, and follow us on: Twitter.com/italianchamUK HELEN GIRGENTI Secretary General VERENA CARIS Deputy Secretary General ANTONIO SAPONARO Project Coordinator, Trade Fairs COSIMO BASTIANI Project Coordinator, Trade Fairs CAMILLA CAIRO Project Coordinator, Commercial Department DAVIDE BARGNA Scottish Branch Manager GIULIA SIRIGU North-West Branch Manager LUCREZIA CHIAPPARINO Italian Desk Manager ANTONIO SANNA Accounts Administrator CAROLINA GHITTINO Members’ Relations & Events Officer CAROLINA SANFRATELLO Master Coordinator, Education Department To request a membership application form and company brochure please visit www.italchamind.eu JOIN THE ICCIUK Alessandro Belluzzo