Tap into our ever-expanding range of exclusive special deals uploaded by other members for you and your staff to enjoy.
Get access to great Business 2 Business, Business 2 Employee and Business 2 Startup Business deals that enable members to save money, encourage them to buy local and even offer something great for their staff to enjoy.
Chris Perry, Norfolk Chamber’s Membership Manager, explains: “We always want our members to support each other and I have actively encouraged members to ‘buy Local’ from each other. Taking that into consideration, and with an ever-increasing amount of calls from members wanting to offer exclusive deals for the membership, we decided to create a section on the website that allows our members to upload an offer at any time that is exclusive to the Norfolk Chamber Membership.”
The offers are split onto four sections:
Business 2 Business Offers
Business 2 Employee Offers
Business 2 Start-up offer (exclusive for businesses up to 12 months old)
Gold Patron Offers
Each section will allow members to tap into a range of offers that will keep changing as members upload new deals and in turn benefit from the free advertising and marketing that comes with it.
All of the offers that businesses upload will be sent out via our social media channels and, given constant, exposure on our site and in other Chamber media.
The offers we get must be exclusive and not something that anyone can get just by logging onto their website.
If you want to upload your very own member 2 Member offer then just register on our website and if you’re a Norfolk Chamber member we will give you access to upload your offer. For more information please contact the Membership team on 01603 625977.
EU is most popular market for UK exporters, but for a third of firms the disadvantages associated with regulation imposed by Brussels outweigh the benefits of the Single Market
Economic developments in the eurozone is top of the list of issues businessowners believe will affect their firm this year and next, according to a poll of almost 2,000 firms released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Over half (52%) of firms believe that the eurozone crisis will have a significant influence on their business in 2012 and 2013, followed closely by cuts to UK public sector budgets (46% of businesses), and access to finance (42% of businesses).
The EU remains the favoured export destination for UK firms. The majority (78%) of businesses believe that it is relatively easy to do business with other countries in Europe, however it only has a small lead on the USA & Canada – 62% of firms believe it is easy to trade with these countries, followed closely by Australia and New Zealand (60% of firms). At the other end of the spectrum, 44% of businesses find it difficult to trade with Brazil, 52% with Central and South America (excluding Brazil). Almost two-thirds of firms (63%) find it difficult to trade with Russia.
The survey also found over one third of firms (35%) believe that the disadvantages of rules and regulations imposed by Brussels outweigh the benefits of being part of the Single Market.
The results follow findings released last week showing that British businesses are not in favour of further EU integration. The survey found that only 12% of firms want to leave the EU altogether. Almost half of businesses (47%) want to negotiate a looser relationship but with the UK remaining a member of the European Union. Only 9% of businesses want further integration.
Commenting on the findings, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“British firms seem to feel that the balance of advantage of EU membership is lessening. That one third of firms think the negatives associated with membership in the form of regulation outweigh the benefits of the Single Market is surprising. It demonstrates that more must be done to make the Single Market work better for businesses looking to export. This includes the creation of a digital single market, making a reality of the internal market for energy, and deepening the single market in services.
“While UK companies find it easier to trade with other countries in Europe, the lead is not as strong as it should be, and it is an indictment of the Single Market that it is almost as easy to trade with countries as far as away as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The UK government must help to deliver a Single Market that works, and make efforts to stem the tide of regulation from Brussels that prevent business from growing.”
This week saw the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) open for business. From August, banks and building societies can borrow in the FLS at cheaper rates, for periods of up to four years. Designed to provide cheaper borrowing to businesses, the Norfolk Chamber has welcomed the scheme as an improvement on the National Loan Guarantee Scheme announced by the Chancellor in March’s Budget. However we continue to urge the government to look at more radical solutions like the creation of a state-backed business bank, to make sure new and growing companies are able to access finance.
You can find out more about how the Funding for Lending Scheme works here.
The British Chambers of commerce Energy Survey closes this weekend so if you have not already completed this survey, we would appreciate you taking a few minutes to submit a response.
The survey will help us better understand the impact of volatile energy costs, the measures businesses have taken to reduce their energy usage, and the relationship between businesses and their energy suppliers. If you would like to tweet about the survey please use the hashtag #bccenergy.
Following the historic Aung San Suu Kyi visit to the UK and Europe, the suspension of sanctions by the EU and the easing of sanctions by the US it is clear that Burma/Myanmar is re-entering the international business community.
High-profile investor Jim Rogers recently said that Myanmar/Burma was “probably the best investment opportunity in the world right now”, comparing it to China when it opened up in 1978.
A blue chip British delegation on a recent trip included Anglo American, BP, British Gas, Ernst & Young, Rolls Royce and Shell. One key conclusion was of an urgent need for massive investment in all aspects of infrastructure. British Industry shouldn’t miss this opportunity.
To meet this need, City & Financial, with the support of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the UK-ASEAN Business Council, is organising The New Burma Investment and Trade Summit in Central London on 27th September 2012. The Myanmar-Britain Business Association is also supporting the event.
The Summit has been tailored to provide delegates with practical information about doing business in Burma/Myanmar. It will also offer a platform for networking with other UK companies that are likely to be at the forefront in tendering for major contracts.
More detailed information can be found here. To obtain 10% discount on the cost of this event, please mention that you heard about it from Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.
UK trade deficit in goods and services was £4.3bn in June, compared with a deficit of £2.7bn in May
Commenting on the trade figures for June, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“It is disappointing to see such a large trade deficit in June. Although the monthly figures would have been affected by public holidays, such as the Diamond Jubilee, it is worrying that the trade deficit in the second quarter as a whole was much higher than in the first. Underlying export volumes fell by 3.3% in the second quarter, while import volumes fell by only 0.5%. There is no question that British exporters are facing major challenges as a result of problems in the eurozone, but the rebalancing of the UK economy towards exports is taking too long.
“British exporters have untapped potential to expand, but they need more government support to help them compete globally and diversify towards growing markets outside the EU. We need firmer action in key areas such as trade finance, promotion and insurance. More infrastructure spending and the early creation of a business bank would make a major contribution towards stronger growth in UK exports.”
Join the Norfolk Chamber at the Festival of Social Enterprise and see how to grow your Charity or Social enterprise.
Of the many emerging sectors in UK business, Social Enterprise is one sector that is growing not just in Norfolk but also right across the UK. We know that government funding and contracts have been cut and Non -profit organisations and Charities now have to look at generating their income by diversification and earn income through mutually beneficial relationships with businesses from all sectors.
Overcoming issues they face and learning new ways to be innovative is just a hint of what on offer at this great event.
Hear from Top Social Enterprise organisations In The Curve such as Nigel Kershaw OBE (Big Issue Invest), Michael Norton (Buzzbnk) Cliff Prior (Unltd) and David Floyd (Social Spider CIC).
Learn new ideas and skills in The Cube with workshops by Sara Burgess, (CIC Regulator, Companies House), James Kearns (Build), Lyndon Green, (LGL)and Clayton Anderson, SOS Training and Evaluation & Ken Shelton, The Robert Ashton Organisation
We will be exhibiting along with lots of other great exhibitors in the Atrium featuring
At the beginning of May, the EU and USA formally agreed to recognise each other’s certified trusted traders, which should make life easier and cheaper for many transatlantic traders.
Introduction The agreement will result in lower costs, simplified procedures and greater predictability in transatlantic activities. Companies recognised as safe traders will benefit from faster controls and reduced administration for customs clearance. Mutual recognition will also improve security on imports and exports by enabling customs authorities to focus attention on real risk areas. It was agreed to implement the mutual recognition decision from 1 July 2012.
Imports and exports between the EU and USA accounted for almost €500 billion in 2011. This agreement should further boost trade opportunities and contribute to the smooth flow of goods between the two sides without compromising security. The mutual recognition of trade partnership programmes also has the benefit of preventing the proliferation of incompatible standards and promoting harmonisation of customs practices and procedures worldwide.
Authorised Economic Operators At present, there are about 5000 companies approved as Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) in the EU. European companies have been able to apply for AEO status since 2008. It can be granted to any economic operator established in the EU that meets the following common criteria stipulated in customs law:
an appropriate record of compliance with customs requirements
a satisfactory system of managing commercial and transport records that allow appropriate customs controls
proven financial solvency
appropriate security and safety standards
AEO status allows companies to benefit both from simplifications provided for by the customs rules and/or facilitation with regard to customs controls related to security and safety, according to the type of certification they obtain. Under the security framework that has been applicable since July 2009, economic operators have to submit pre-arrival and pre-departure information on goods entering or leaving the EU. The security type of AEO certificate and the combined certificate allow their holders to benefit from facilitations with regard to the customs controls relating to security.
The AEO status therefore identifies safe and reliable businesses engaged in international trade with high standards of security and compliance. These companies are then highly trusted trade partners at customs checks. Fewer inspections on goods are necessary and formal customs procedures are quicker to fill in, so goods can move faster from one place to another, which helps to lower transport costs. More effective container inspection can lead to important cost savings for companies, in particular SMEs. There is also a benefit to EU customs administrations, which can concentrate their efforts on checking high-risk transactions.
Under the new agreement, the EU and USA will recognise each other’s security certified operators so that authorised economic operators in the EU will receive benefits when exporting to the US market and the EU will reciprocate for certified members of the US Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). Mutual recognition of trade partnerships helps to improve protection against terrorist attacks.
Mutual recognition The EU wants its major trade partners across the world to recognise the AEO status to facilitate and protect international trade even more in the future. Switzerland, Norway and Japan already mutually recognise the EU’s certification and a similar agreement is being explored with China.
The Transatlantic Economic Council is the central political platform for EU-US co-operation on a wide range of high-profile regulatory and strategic issues, with the objective of furthering trade and investment and ultimately growth and jobs. It offered important political support to achieve the EU-US mutual recognition.
A UK State aid scheme that aims to reduce the cost of finance for businesses with turnover of up to €300 million is to be allowed to run for a further six months, the European Commission has confirmed.
Earlier this year it decided that the National Loan Guarantee Scheme was in line with the EU’s crisis State aid rules for banks, because it ensured that the reduced funding costs from which banks will benefit were passed on to SMEs. That authorisation lasted only until 30 June. However, the Commission has now extended that deadline to 31 December 2012.
The UK credit easing scheme was originally limited to small and medium-sized firms with a turnover of up to €60 million, but has since had its scope widened. The Commission agreed that it still met the rules for the banking sector during the economic crisis.
“Facilitating SMEs’ access to finance is a Commission priority to overcome the crisis,” Competition Commissioner Joaquín Almunia said. “The National Loan Guarantee Scheme will reduce borrowing costs for SMEs thanks to a State guarantee, without unduly distorting competition.”
Recent estimates suggest that deepening relationships between the EU and its key trading partners could contribute significantly to Europe’s recovery.
If the EU pursues its ambitious external trade agenda this could boost the EU’s GDP by 2%, or more than €250 billion, MEPs were told recently. This is equivalent to adding an economy the size of Austria or Denmark.
An ambitious agenda could also help create more than two million jobs across the EU.
By 2015, 90% of economic growth will be generated outside Europe, with one-third in China alone. Hence, tapping into the markets of the Union’s key trading partners will play an increasingly significant role for Europe’s growth in the future, the European Parliament was told at a recent meeting.
More than two-thirds of these gains in growth and jobs would materialise through trade agreements with the USA and Japan.
Having seen the free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea through to its first anniversary recently, the European Commission believes that FTAs are “within reach” this year with Canada and Singapore.
Despite difficulties in moving forward in the multilateral context of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Commission said, the EU has not stood still in the face of rapid changes in the global economy and is moving ahead to further connect to new global growth centres.
FTAs covered less than a quarter of EU trade before 2006. Concluding on-going negotiations with Canada, Singapore, India and other ASEAN states would bring this figure up to half, and moving forward with the USA and Japan would bring it up to two-thirds.
The EU remains the world’s largest exporter, importer, source and recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI). It has managed to hold on to its 20% share of total world exports despite the rise of China, whereas Japan and the USA have seen significant declines in their shares.
The government has announced the results of its energy red tape challenge initiative. The package will see the scrapping of 86 regulations and improvements to 48 regulatory regimes. According to government estimates the package, alongside other measures, will save businesses around £400 million over the next 20 years. Most of the measures contained in the package relate to minor or out of date regulations. An announcement on the future of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, a current regulation that seriously burdens businesses, is due in the autumn.
As part of a drive to cut red tape burdens, Minister of State for Energy, Charles Hendry, has announced the scrapping of 86 regulations and a further 48 improved regulatory regimes, whilst keeping protections as strong as ever. Coupled with other reforms, DECC’s overall reform package is estimated to deliver businesses savings worth around £400 million over the next 20 years.
Minister of State for Energy, Charles Hendry, said:
“Energy is vital to the economy and essential to driving growth. It is also the biggest infrastructure sector in the UK. Our reforms aim to stimulate over £100bn of new investment in the electricity sector and could support around 250,000 total jobs in electricity to 2030.
“It is therefore vital that we have a regulatory regime which promotes fairness and consumer and environmental protection, but does not impose unnecessary costs or barriers to generating the necessary investment, innovation and skills we need to build the low carbon economy.
“The Red Tape Challenge has provided the opportunity to ensure we continue to meet these objectives. We have listened to our stakeholders as they suggested regulations which add cost or complexity without effectively leading to protections, and I am pleased to announce that DECC will scrap or improve 134 regulations.”
Supporting today’s announcement, Terry A’Hearn, Regulation Lead of the Aldersgate Group said:
“We welcome the Government’s work in cutting back excessive and outdated regulation, whilst ensuring that protection of our environment remains as strong as ever.
“Smart regulation corrects market failures, drives innovation and provides the foundation for long-term economic growth, jobs and competitiveness and we congratulate DECC’s recognition of the importance of prioritising these long-term outcomes.”
Annual producer output inflation down from 2.0% in June, to 1.7% in July
Annual producer input inflation up from -3.0% in June, to -2.4% in July
Commenting on the producer price figures for July 2012, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The producer price figures are positive overall. Output inflation has decelerated steadily since last September, and the annual rate is at its lowest since 2009. Input inflation has risen in July, but the annual rate is still in negative territory. The figures do highlight some worrying upward pressures on prices, in particular the impact of the US drought on food prices.
“We expect consumer price inflation to continue falling over the next year, which will be good news for the economy. In the face of tough fiscal austerity at home and difficult problems in the eurozone, falling inflation will be key in easing pressures on disposable incomes and underpinning demand in the economy.
“The Monetary Policy Committee should not use additional QE to limit the fall in inflation. In recent years UK inflation has consistently been above the 2% target. A temporary period of inflation lower than this level in 2013 would benefit the economy and should not be resisted. Meanwhile the economic situation remains difficult and businesses as well as consumers are facing major challenges. While the government perseveres with its deficit reduction plan it should act more forecefully to create the right conditions for businesses to grow, through deregulation, and supporting business lending and exports.