The Government has announced a series of sector-specific Town Hall meetings aimed at helping businesses prepare for the implementation of the new UK-EU Treaty arrangements.

The meetings follow the publication of several technical guidance notes covering customs procedures, transit arrangements and business readiness, and fulfil a commitment made by Minister for Business Gemma Arias-Vasquez during this week’s GFSB Annual Dinner.

A Focus On Practical Guidance

The sessions are intended to give businesses the opportunity to engage directly with Government officials, ask sector-specific questions and better understand how the new arrangements will operate in practice.

Many of the guidance documents published to date have necessarily been technical in nature, particularly those dealing with customs procedures and the movement of goods. The Town Hall meetings are designed to provide businesses with an opportunity to seek clarification and discuss issues relevant to their operations.

The First Sessions

The first meetings will take place at Inces Hall on Monday 22 June:

4.30pm to 5.30pm
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products

5.45pm to 6.45pm
Special Customs Procedures, including Bonded Warehouses

The sessions will be attended by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia, Minister for Business Gemma Arias-Vasquez, the Attorney General and the Collector of Customs.

Part Of A Wider Programme

The meetings form part of the Government’s wider programme of engagement with businesses as Treaty implementation approaches.

Additional guidance notes are expected in the coming weeks, while further Town Hall meetings are also likely to be organised for other sectors as preparations continue. For member businesses operating in the sectors covered by the first sessions, the meetings will provide an opportunity to hear directly from the officials responsible for implementing the new arrangements and to raise practical questions ahead of implementation.