THE Department for the Economy (DfE) is refusing to release the findings of a study into the implications of Brexit for the north's businesses.
The analysis was conducted in the autumn with the help of the region's industry bodies and businesses but although it has been shared with Whitehall's Department for Exiting the EU, its detail remains under wraps.
The Irish News understands that a number of the organisations involved in the study have requested the final report but have been told that DfE does not want to release it at this stage.
Firms have also voiced concern about the Brexit business liaison group set up by the Executive Office in the wake of last June's referendum, which has not met for nearly six months.
The industry bodies who helped compile the DfE research included CBI (NI), the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Business, Manufacturing NI and the Construction Employers Federation.
One businessman who contributed to the study said he could not fathom why Brexit Secretary David Davis had seen the report but that it was being withheld from those potentially most affected by the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
"We now know a report on Brexit’s impact on the local economy is prepared and available to David Davies but it’s not being shared with my business," he said.
"They need to be helping us prepare to deal with threats or any opportunities but how can we do that without information being made available to us?"
The businessman said his firm was embarking on a "fundamental shift to our trading arrangements" yet he was unprepared.
He also raised concerns that initial engagement from DfE and Invest NI had "petered out".
"There was a flurry of activity post-referendum but that has stopped," he said.
"The Irish government are more engaged with local business than the Northern Ireland departments and agencies – they are working with their companies getting them Brexit ready while locally there’s no available analysis, advice or apparent engagement."
A spokesman for DfE said it would "not be appropriate" to share the research due to the current Brexit negotiations and a "desire to promote open exchange of views between participants in the JMC (Joint Ministerial Council) process".
He said further meetings were planned though he did not specify when.
He also said DfE and Invest NI had maintained "periodic informal contact" with businesses and their representative bodies.
