Bringing Europe Closer

As the UK leaves the Single Market at the end of this year, many Irish businesses are re-evaluating their supply chains and their trading partnerships, and many are beginning to look at the potential of doing business in the rest of Europe for the first time. 

Gaining direct access to mainland Europe is increasingly important for businesses, as concerns grow over potential delays for companies sending products via the UK landbridge. Earlier this year, the Port of Cork facilitated the establishment of a new direct Ro-Con shipping route from Cork to Zeebrugge in Belgium, bringing Europe closer and bringing SMEs within 550 km of 60% of the EU’s purchasing power. Finding business partnerships and sourcing products in these new markets may be daunting, but support agencies such as Flanders Investment and Trade and the Enterprise Europe Network can assist with this process. Flanders is also an ideal investment location for companies looking to get a foothold in Europe and reach clients in Belgium, its neighbouring countries and the European hinterland.

Join the discussion to learn more about the new direct connections between Cork and Zeebrugge, and how this can be a first step for your business in bringing Europe closer.

Speakers include:

• Ambassador Pierre-Emmanuel De Bauw, Belgian Ambassador to Ireland 
• Conor Mowlds, Chief Commercial Officer, Port of Cork
• Lieve Duprez, Chief Officer Shortsea, Port of Zeebrugge
• Jacques Vanhoucke, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Flanders Investment and Trade 
• Ingrid De Doncker, CEO, iDDea