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Bottlenecks and stockpiles: UK firms in last Brexit stretch

British companies are ramping up preparations ahead of Brexit, spearheaded by the food and drink sectors stockpiling extra ingredients and bottles.
"Get ready for Brexit" is the UK government's slogan ahead of the nation's scheduled departure from the European Union on October 31.
Billboards up and down the country are carrying the message as part of a state-funded advertising campaign that also features leaflets, online information and a roadshow where businesses can further seek advice.
"We are preparing for the potential impact of the UK's departure from the European Union by building stocks of key ingredients and equipment that could be affected by disruption to the flow of goods into the UK," bakery chain Greggs said this week, addressing customer concerns that they could struggle to get hold of its famed sausage rolls.
The government's own forecasts show Britain potentially running out of food and vital medicine -- and seeing riots on the streets in the event of a 'no-deal' Brexit.
The problems stem from decades of interdependence that saw goods and services to flow freely and without customs checks.
Businesses fear that even brief border inspections would plug up trade routes and grind their operations to a halt.
- 'There will be shortages' -
"The big problem is that there is still, unbelievably, such uncertainty," said Rosalind Sharpe from the Centre for Food Policy Research at City, University of London.
"Companies really don't know what will happen and in that situation they have to plan as best they can," said Sharpe, who has studied the impact of Brexit on Britain's food supply.
"Steps have been taken but it's beyond doubt that if we leave on October 31 without a deal there will be chaos at the ports, there will be shortages," she told AFP.
Bank of England governor Mark Carney last month acknowledged "improvements in preparedness" but still forecast a shortfall in British GDP of 5.5 percent in the event of no-deal.
The government's 'Get ready for Brexit' campaign includes advice on the exporting and importing of goods and services, as well as on the movement of goods between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's fresh Brexit deal proposals this week are aimed at preserving a free-flowing border between British-run Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the European Union.
However, the European Parliament's Brexit steering group have said that the proposals do not "represent the basis for an agreement".
At UK-based Daniel Lambert Wines, bottles from around the globe are being stockpiled at a greater rate.
"Normally we would have a four-month (inventory). Now it is at about six months," owner Daniel Lambert told AFP.
"We're fully prepared but we are worried about a rise in costs," he said, adding that his import charges had already risen owing to a Brexit-fuelled slump in the pound.
And while Britain's economy stands close to recession on both Brexit uncertainty and a global economic slowdown, UK retail sales have won support in recent months from consumers stockpiling goods such as tinned foods ahead of the EU exit.
source : AFP
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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