Denmark braces for no-deal Brexit impact

Source: Xinhua| 2019-09-19 01:30:21|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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COPENHAGEN, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod flanked by Business Minister Simon Kollerup and Finance Minister Morten Boedskov presented the Danish government's contingency plan to deal with the repercussions of a fast-approaching no-deal Brexit at a press conference held here on Wednesday.

"Brexit, it's a divorce ... Nevertheless, we will do what we can to avoid an unfortunate divorce," said Kofod before presenting four concrete actions that the Danish government plans to implement in preparation for an eventual no-deal British exit from the European Union (EU).

First, the Danish government will set up a special ministerial group to deal with a no-deal Brexit scenario.

Second, emergency preparedness is being introduced across ministries and authorities, which must be able to handle queues, pressure on government services and other unforeseen problems.

Third, the government will step up the dialogue with job centers and the labor market to assist people affected by Brexit's effects on the labor market.

And fourth, communication and advice to businesses will be strengthened, with a particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Boedskov said that "we must prepare for the worst possible situation," adding that his department would review tax policy initiatives to alleviate pressures on business.

During strenuous press questioning on the effectiveness of the preparations, the three ministers agreed that it was really almost impossible to predict the consequences of a no-deal Brexit.

"It is important to emphasize that a no-deal Brexit will have consequences that cannot be mitigated, no matter how well prepared we are," said Kofod.

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