We need a business Brexit taskforce, CBI president Paul Drechsler to say

The next government should set up a business Brexit taskforce to help smooth the way to the UK leaving the European Union, an industry leader is urging.

Paul Drechsler, president of the CBI, said business and the government shared the same goal of a thriving economy.

He will tell the CBI's annual dinner in London on Wednesday that the next government should champion the value of businesses in this country.

"At this time of unprecedented challenge, we need unparalleled co-operation between companies and the next government.

"So in their first 50 days, we want the next government set up a Business Brexit Taskforce. Where the top minds from government and business work together on the most complex issues, it's a 'win-win' situation for everyone."

Mr Drechsler will tell the 1,000 businessmen and women that to get Brexit right, the next government will need to get to grips with the complexity of the task, adding: "Imagine this - someone in Germany buys a computer chip from a firm in Wales.

"Some of the metals in that chip come from countries with whom the UK has free trade agreements through EU membership - South Africa and Turkey.

"Some of the plastics in that chip have been processed in EU countries - Poland and Spain. Engineers from France, Croatia and Hungary worked alongside people from Cardiff to design the chip. It's packaged by a worker from Bangor and delivered to the port by a driver from Slovakia.

"The chip has been made to shared European standards with its intellectual property protected by a Europe-wide trademark. The chip is insured with a financial package covered by EU passporting. And when the chip is incorporated into a computer for sale it will meet Europe-wide levels of consumer protection. All that complexity for one product, made by one company.

"That's just the tip of the iceberg and this is what the next government needs to get its head around. But here's the good news. As business, we can help the next government navigate this labyrinth of Brexit complexity."