A Government review into the cost to business of complying with international trade regulation was announced in the Pre-Budget Report (PBR). The aim is to put forward an action plan alongside the 2009 PBR setting out how the Government will reduce costs to business. The review will be led by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and HM Revenue & Customs. SITPRO will play a major part in gathering the views of business.
At the beginning of January, SITPRO launched its own consultation on port procedures, but we also intend to meet with many business groups, trade associations, chambers of commerce and individual businesses between now and the end of May to identify business priorities for significant cost reduction in the management of international trade procedures. We are looking for:
- Evidence of trade regulation or procedures that are creating burdens that business feels are unnecessary and which could be reduced or avoided altogether
- Data to help cost compliance with Government requirements
- Case study examples to illustrate the problems that arise in international trade
- Examples of documentation and business processes used by companies to ship and clear goods for import or export (with a view to seeing whether they could be simplified and/or made less costly)
- Ideas for the Action Plan
This is your chance to have your concerns heard by the highest levels of Government and to influence plans for changes that could significantly reduce your future regulatory burdens. If you wish to take part you can register your interest now with pbr@sitpro.org.uk.
- Read more about this project in Malcolm McKinnon's CEO Perpective column
- Keep up to date with all the latest developments in this project at www.sitpro.org.uk/regreview/
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 67, Winter 2008/2009
