A leading business figure in the county says there is "growing concern, and possibly even alarm" at the lack of information firms are receiving from the government over Brexit.

Jo James, chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said companies faced being "exposed to unnecessary financial risk" as a consequence of the uncertainty surrounding the March 29 exit.

This week the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) published a list of 20 critical questions that remain unanswered in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

It highlights the many key issues that are still unclear for businesses in a ‘no deal’ scenario – from what trade agreements will be in place with countries around the globe, to whether and how firms can move skilled staff between the UK and EU, and which regulations they will need to follow.

Jo James said: "These questions are especially critical for businesses in Kent as we sit on one of the most important trading routes between the UK and mainland Europe.

“There’s growing concern, and possibly even alarm, over the lack of clarity that businesses are receiving from government. Being unprepared leaves businesses, their customers and employees, exposed to unnecessary commercial risk.”

The absence of clarity and precision, says the BCC, has already stifled investment and growth, and is resulting in "unnecessary costs, inability to plan and, increasingly, loss of business as customers look elsewhere".

Adam Marshall, director general of the BCC, said: “In less than 50 days, UK firms could face the biggest change to their terms of trade in over a generation, without the information and clarity they need to navigate their forward course.

“There is a very real risk that a lack of clear, actionable information from government will leave firms, their people and their communities hung out to dry.

“Even those companies trying their hardest to get ready are still in the dark on important matters from contracts through to customs. Many others, who took the decision to wait for the political process to conclude before acting, would face sudden and costly adjustments if a deal is not reached.

“It is little wonder that many firms have been holding back on investment, stockpiling, and even opening offices and moving operations and jobs elsewhere. The imperative remains to avoid a messy and disorderly exit on March 29, but businesses need answers they can base decisions on, no matter the outcome. The lack of clear, precise answers is now causing real damage to many businesses, and to the wider economy.”

The full list of questions by the BCC are:

1. What tariffs will my company need to pay when importing goods to the UK from the EU and rest of the world?

2. When will the UK government launch an official market access database to provide this information?

3. If any trade agreements with third countries are operational on the day after Brexit, what rules of origin will I need to comply with?

4. Will I still be able to fly people and/or goods between the UK and the EU after Brexit day – or could travel be disrupted?

5. I know I will need to register for an EORI number. How simple will it be for me to register for any other new registration requirements or processes?

6. How will my lead times be impacted by new customs procedures?

7. Will any of the EU-FTA agreements be rolled over or replaced on a bilateral basis in the event of no deal?

8. Will I be able to use any trade preferences with any markets?

9. Will there be confirmation that I will be able to continue importing tariff free goods from developing and least developed countries under the generalised system of preferences (GSP) after March 29?

10. Will there be new safety and security requirements and inspections at the UK-EU border that my company will need to deal with? Where will inspections be held?

11. What system will I be using to input customs data – will HMRC’s new Customs Declaration Service (CDS) be ready in time for March 29?

12. What procedures will my company face trading between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland?

13. Will this be different to operating at any other UK border?

14. Will staff spending longer than 90 out of 180 days in the EU be subject to further administration, costs or visas?

15. Will my business be able to move skilled staff members between the UK and the EU after March 29 and if so, under what conditions?

16. Will I need to become VAT-registered in every EU member state where my firm has clients?

17. Which regulator will be overseeing my business after March 29, and what rules do I need to follow?

18. Is the UK government going to charge businesses for the creation of new regulatory agencies in the UK?

19. If my company is in dispute with another in the EU, what form of resolution and means of redress will be available to my business after March 29?

20. Will my business have to pay roaming charges in the EU after March 29?

21. Will my business continue to be able to hold and transfer data and personal information without any interruptions after March 29?

The BCC has held talks with Brexit secretary Steve Barclay and says it will continue to talk to key officials across government over the coming weeks in a bid to get answers.