Brexit Helpdesk operating at full speed

The Flemish government’s Brexit Helpdesk has already received 627 questions from companies since its inception in 2018. This can be seen from data that Flemish MP Maaike De Vreese (N-VA) requested from the Flemish Minister for Economy. “We must continue to support our companies with advice and assistance,” says Maaike De Vreese.

The Helpdesk is the first point of contact for all companies, entrepreneurs and exporters that have questions about Brexit. Most questions were asked by SMEs and were about customs and import formalities and general questions. “These figures show that this support is much needed. We must continue to support our companies with advice and assistance. The recent launch of the so-called post-Brexit resilience subsidy is the perfect example of this,” Maaike De Vreese says.

Already 627 questions, above all from the food sector

On 16 November 2018, the Flemish Government approved the “Brexit Action Plan”. The approval of the action plan also saw the establishment of the Brexit Helpdesk. A total of 627 questions have already been received. The most affected provinces also make the most use of the Helpdesk: Antwerp (29%) and West Flanders (28%). These were mainly companies active in the sectors of “Food and beverages” (108), “Agribusiness” (46), “Construction and infrastructure” (31) and “Textiles” (30).

In addition to the Helpdesk, more than 100 seminars, webinars, round tables and workshops have been organised, reaching an estimated 1,300 entrepreneurs. “These figures demonstrate the usefulness of the Helpdesk. In this way, the Flemish government provides our companies with excellent, tailor-made first-line advice. The Flemish Government guarantees the operation of the Helpdesk until the end of 2022,” Maaike De Vreese says.

Additional support measures

As part of the “Brexit Action Plan”, Flanders has already offered support to SMEs in the past via Flanders Investment & Trade and VLAIO, among others, to support the reorientation of their international business activities. Companies that want to develop innovative projects in Flanders can qualify for strategic transformation or ecology support. The figures show that there have been seven applications for this support in the context of Brexit in 2020, of which support has been granted in six cases, and one is still pending. The total amount of aid granted was just over EUR 3 million. No files have yet been submitted in 2021, but the Flemish Government has already allocated an additional EUR 10 million to meet increased demand.

Flanders will not let its entrepreneurs down

Finally, the Flemish Government launched the post-Brexit resilience subsidy on 1 February 2021. SMEs will be able to apply for this subsidy and guidance from an employee of the Enterprise Europe Network of VLAIO & FIT. As much as EUR 14 million is envisaged for the 2021 call. “Brexit poses major challenges for our companies, particularly in West Flanders and Antwerp. Through these measures, this Flemish Government shows that we will not let our entrepreneurs down, and we will provide them with maximum support in the post-Brexit era,” Maaike De Vreese concludes.