SO, WE now know the result.
The voters have spoken and the UK electorate has decided to leave the EU.
We recognise that while some of our members will welcome the result, many will be unsure about whether leaving the EU will be good or bad for their business.
Firstly, it’s important to remember that for the foreseeable future, there will be no change to the way you do business.
At this moment the UK is still an EU member and there will be no immediate changes in the laws in the UK as a direct consequence of the result of the EU Referendum. Any changes which might take place will only become clear once the UK’s future relationship with the EU has been agreed.
Over the coming months, we must ensure that through negotiation, the benefits of EU membership as highlighted by members - movement of trade, labour and capital - are retained by the UK outside the EU.
There will be a further period of political uncertainty, which makes it even more important that we keep the focus on trade, business and the growth of our economy.
We are beginning a journey into uncharted waters, and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce and the wider Chamber network will be there to support our members through this uncertain time. We have spoken to Chambers across the UK this morning to establish our priorities and the next steps.
In the short term, the Bank of England has assured us of the financial stability of the financial sector, that cash remains available and that it will take the necessary measures to stabilise financial and currency markets, if conditions warrant.
The Chamber has prepared a number of questions which need to be answered by the UK Government and all of our political leaders. We know that business needs clarity, an indication of the timetable for change, to understand how existing trade relationships will be impacted, the future of investment, hiring, growth, migrant workers and other questions too.
We would like to hear your views on which of these you believe to be highest priority for your business, and if you think there are other questions that we should add.
Please contact our policy team to share your views. In the meantime our briefing papers may answer some of your immediate questions.
We have a difficult trading environment in this region but investment planned in this region will continue to be delivered.
We continue to strive towards our collective ambition to create a buoyant, diversified economy here that will make Aberdeen City & Shire an even better places to live, work, study, visit, invest and do business.