As this first quarter in a post-Brexit era comes to a close, it has inevitably played host to a significant increase in challenges affecting Irish businesses and the trade relationship between Ireland and the UK as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union on December 31st.
A major problem and current reality for Irish businesses as a result of Brexit is the increase in customs clearance declarations now required in order to export and import goods to and from the UK. In January alone this year, 1.8 million customs clearance declarations were processed, compared to the 1.6 million declarations in the whole of 2020 according to Revenue.
A company addressing this considerable issue is Cantec Group (which has a base in Galway ) and are providers of integrated software and hardware solutions here in Ireland. Founded in 1994, Cantec’s ethos is to provide a solutions-based service to businesses of all sizes. During the height of the pandemic, Cantec merged with SmartOffice Technology.
Together as part of the Cantec Group, they help to support clients navigate the maze of software to help streamline office processes, providing customised tech solutions across communications, information management and now custom software development. Later this month, Cantec Group’s new customs clearance automation software will launch, enabling businesses and Custom Clearance Agents to fully automate this process, reducing the large amount of time investment currently required.
On Monday, March 29, Cantec Group will be joined by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney T.D. for a virtual event, outlining how Cantec’s customs clearance automation software will make a big difference for businesses in the post Brexit era, with the event being open for businesses and individuals to attend.
Speaking ahead of the launch of their new software system to tackle this issue, Greg Tuohy, Managing Director of Cantec Group said, “As a result of Brexit, businesses both big and small are now facing more border formalities and with the addition of increased customs clearance declarations, this has presented to be a major challenge for Irish businesses as forecasted. Over the past year at Cantec Group, we have been working to develop a software system that will allow businesses to save up to 15 to 20 minutes per individual declaration and we are delighted to be joined by Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney T.D. on March 29th to officially launch this new software for businesses.”
Titled ‘Power of the Pivot, Reinvent your Business’, the virtual event on March 29 at 11am will be hosted by Munster and Ireland rugby legend Alan Quinlan and will also discuss Cantec’s own pivot, their merger with SmartOffice Technology, along with a panel of business leaders who will each describe their own transformational experiences.
Commenting ahead of the event, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney T.D. said, “Here in Ireland and across Europe, businesses are adjusting to the changes and challenges brought by Brexit and it’s very positive to see businesses like Cantec Group, developing systems to address particular issues relating to these changes. Trading with the UK is a huge part of the Irish economy and it’s important that we can continue to streamline this as much as possible to ensure businesses can efficiently comply with these trade procedures.”
