BSCC BREXIT PUBLICATION DRAFT 1
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BSCC BREXIT PUBLICATION DRAFT 1
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT – ANNE-MARIE DE WECK On October 2nd, Theresa May announced that the UK would trigger Article 50 by end of March 2017. This date will open a chapter of two years of negotiations with the EU. In the meantime, the Swiss Government has been working on the implementation of the results of a 2014 plebiscite that requires immigration quotas for foreigners including EU citizens. The U.K. Precedent Parliament’s upper house is scheduled to debate the “light” immigration proposal in its winter session that runs from Nov. 28 to Dec. 16. Some members of that chamber want to make the plan already voted upon by the lower house more stringent. Britain’s vote in late June to leave the EU has complicated matters for the Swiss, who have been trying for more than two years to solve their immigration stand-off. Both countries are at crossroads in their relationship and negotiations with the EU, and their destinies have never been so intertwined. Against this backdrop, the British Swiss Chamber of Commerce continues to play its vital role as the voice of British-Swiss businesses and helps shape a favourable environment for a prosperous British Swiss relationship. To this end, we have developed and deliver topical, relevant and meaningful initiatives to support and add value to our members every step of the way. Our activities operate at different levels: •
Institutionally, our Task Force Europe examines the similarities and differences in the way Switzerland and the UK approach European issues, and particularly their respective experiences with European integration
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Publically, we are surveying our members asking for their business priorities and collecting their concerns as one voice: the views of the British-Swiss Business Community to the national authorities
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Politically, more than ever the BSCC works hard to foster the dialogue between business and politics; there will be many opportunities for both countries to learn from each other how to best manage and negotiate deals with the EU
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Practically, we will harness the best experts within our network to bring expertise and support to our members in anticipating and adjusting their business model to remain competitive and overcome uncertainty
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT – ANNE-MARIE DE WECK On October 2nd, Theresa May announced that the UK would trigger Article 50 by end of March 2017.
In the meantime, the Swiss Government has been working on the implementation of the results of a 2014 plebiscite that requires immigration quotas for foreigners including EU citizens.
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT – ANNE-MARIE DE WECK On October 2nd, Theresa May announced that the UK would trigger Article 50 by end of March 2017.
In the meantime, the Swiss Government has been working on the implementation of the results of a 2014 plebiscite that requires immigration quotas for foreigners including EU citizens.
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