Samantha Cameron, the founder of the Cefinn fashion brand, recently discussed the obstacles her business is grappling with in the aftermath of Brexit when it comes to trading with the European Union. During a radio interview on BBC Radio 4, she elaborated on the difficulties and hurdles that her brand has been experiencing since Britain’s departure from the EU and the expiration of the transitional trade agreement.
Cameron stressed the importance of enhanced communication between the UK government and small businesses such as Cefinn. She highlighted the various “teething issues” that smaller enterprises are encountering while trying to navigate the intricate process of trading with a bloc of 27 countries like the EU. These challenges have become even more pronounced since the official Brexit transition period ended.
In addition to the complexities brought about by Brexit, the ongoing pandemic has further compounded the trading issues faced by Cefinn. Despite this, Cameron noted that trading with countries like the US has not posed as many problems. Having launched her contemporary womenswear label after her husband’s tenure as Prime Minister ended in 2016, she has been continually adapting to the evolving trade environment.
Nevertheless, Cameron remains optimistic that the current obstacles are temporary and can be overcome. She underscored the urgency of addressing these challenges promptly to ensure the prosperity and development of small businesses. Cameron urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to engage with businesses in similar circumstances and work on finding solutions to streamline trade with the EU, especially for smaller enterprises like Cefinn.
She highlighted the complexities of importing goods into the UK from outside the EU and then exporting them back to Europe, citing the significant barriers that smaller businesses encounter due to limited resources and infrastructure. Cameron emphasized the necessity of cutting costs and simplifying trade procedures to bolster the expansion of businesses like Cefinn in the post-Brexit landscape.
Amidst the ongoing efforts to navigate the intricacies of post-Brexit trade, Samantha Cameron’s insights shed light on the challenges faced by small businesses in the UK. They underscore the critical need for government intervention to bolster their growth and sustainability in the face of a rapidly changing economic climate.
For more information on the topic, you can visit the following links:
Trading Goods under the Northern Ireland Protocol
Brexit: New Rules are Hitting EU-UK Trade
