Businesses in Ireland are seeking to reduce their dependency on the UK market amid concerns about the imposition of further Brexit-related checks or red-tape measures, according to Grant Thornton Ireland’s latest international business report.
The survey of 62 mid-size Irish businesses found that over a quarter (27 per cent) were endeavouring to reduce their exports to the UK while 21 per cent were trying to reduce their reliance on UK suppliers.
Since the UK’s departure from the EU, imports from Britain into the Republic have slumped while there has been a pick-up in North-South trade, suggesting some firms here are using the North as a workaround.
Trade bodies are, however, warning that further post-Brexit border controls due to come into force in June could cause long delays at UK ports, further hampering trade.
The Irish Times has more on the business report.