THE leader of a Dorset industry group has called for "business as usual" after the Government triggered Article 50 to start the process of the UK leaving the European Union.
Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) chief executive, Ian Girling, said: "It is absolutely crucial that Government negotiators listen to the views of business and place the economy at the heart of any future agreement.
“Business also needs regular communication and updates from the Government about progress in negotiations to keep uncertainty at a minimum and maintain confidence.
“The Government must be decisive. A speedy resolution would be welcome although it must be the right deal for UK plc."
He added: “Undoubtedly there will be challenges ahead, and exciting opportunities too.
"Dorset businesses have proved themselves consistently resilient over recent years.
“We must ensure that it is ‘business as usual’ in Dorset whilst placing the county and its firms in pole position to capitalise on any future agreement.
“DCCI intends to lead the way in Dorset and give business every support as well as represent members and their concerns at a local and national level as we face the future with confidence.”
But a Green MEP has warned that new research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) should "ring alarm bells" for business prospects after Brexit.
The research has found that one in four small businesses would be deterred from trading with the EU should any tariffs be introduced after Brexit
Dr Molly Scott Cato said: "This is another report in what is turning into a library of dire economic warnings about the impacts on businesses of the UK leaving the single market. "This latest report should ring alarm bells, particularly as there are thousands of small businesses across the South West.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. It is clear that removing us from the single market will affect their ability to export to their biggest market with severe knock-on effects for jobs and communities across the South West."
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