Where the UK was once a key trading partner for Flanders, its departure from the European Union caused a contraction in trade. A new platform is being worked on to give the region's companies an edge in a post-Brexit landscape
The UK was Flanders' fourth largest trading partner before Brexit, and it has now become the region's largest non-EU trading partner. The past years have had an obvious impact on Flemish companies in their trade with the UK due to the increased administrative steps at the border, resulting in a contraction of trade.
"The administrative knot of customs checks and the associated costs are very difficult for our companies," said Daan De Vlieger, project coordinator at Deloitte, which conducted a preparatory study. The positive results have spurred the creation of the first digital system to facilitate and streamline trade with the UK: Gateway²Britain.
UK Secretary of State Lucy Frazer meeting Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon in London. Credit: Belga / Dirk Waem
"There are solutions, such as a unified digital infrastructure, that can make a difference. Gateway²Britain helps carry out formalities smoothly. That could give Flemish exporters a competitive advantage," said De Vlieger.
Digital and physical assistance
On Tuesday, Flemish Minister of Economy and Innovation Jo Brouns (CD&V) and Federal Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem (CD&V) announced the arrival of the platform, which will be built by Port of Antwerp-Bruges and VIL (the Flemish Institute for Logistics) and of which a first version is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
The cross-border platform will see data and digital documents being shared by all parties in the logistics chain, creating transparency in the administrative process around border formalities. Belgian Customs will assist in this aspect of the platform.
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"The expansion of this system has never been seen before in the world," said Brouns. "With Gateway²Britain, we are not only overcoming the consequences of Brexit, but we are also streamlining our entire international trade with the UK to cooperate more efficiently with our entire logistics sector."
There will also be a physical G²B service point through the VIL, intended to relieve SMEs, which often have smaller trade volumes and less knowledge of the laws, of Brexit-related administration. It will also act as an entry point to the platform itself.
