Gambica members want to keep access to the EU single market
A survey of members of the Gambica trade body has revealed that their top priority, following the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, is to retain access to the EU’s single market.
The survey, conducted during July and August, following the Brexit vote on 23rd June, reveals that access to the single market is the top priority for Gambica members by a clear margin. It was ranked number one by 79% of the 78 respondents (about 40% of Gambica’s membership), and was in the top three of 92% of those surveyed. It was the number one issue for companies of all sizes, and for both manufacturers and non-manufacturers.
Gambica has published a report on its findings, which reveals that the second-highest priority for its members is to retain access to skilled workers, followed by the need to be able to influence standards.
The survey also asked Gambica’s members what actions they were planning to take as a result of the Brexit vote. In the short term, they cited employment freezes, monitoring of exchange rates and postponing investment decisions. In the longer term, the high level of uncertainty is causing Gambica’s members to question future investment, expansion and partnerships.
The Gambica survey was part of a larger study being carried out by Eama (the Engineering and Machinery Alliance), of which Gambica is member.
Gambica is the trade association that represents the UK’s control and automation, and instrumentation sectors. It has more than 200 members and represents an industry which employs 40,000 people and has a turnover of £6.9bn and exports worth £3.7bn.
