Oil and gas developments in East Africa are creating new business development opportunities for SMEs. The Africa Business Centre, operated by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, is organising a five-day trade mission for UK based SMEs.
It will provide a comprehensive introduction to oil and gas opportunities in Uganda and Tanzania via briefings and meetings with key government and commercial contacts. The aim is to equip delegates with all relevant information and contacts to support their future entry to the market.
For details of the schedule and costs, please click here.
Expanding on Qatar’s economic growth and continuing to build UK-Qatar trade links, the MEA is leading a Trade Mission to Qatar in the spring, 25th-28th March.
This multi-sector Trade Mission will focus on the opportunities arising from Qatar’s needs as it progresses towards hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and will cater to all needs as it will offer delegates, with the assistance of UKTI, the opportunity to gain direct access to ministries, decision makers and to commercial leaders as well as meetings with potential clients and business partners.
The Norfolk Chamber are at thethe Norfolk Catering and Hospitality Expo 2013 held at the Norfolk Showground. As Partners of Norfolk Expo the Chamber is here to show our support for all the Norfolk Businesses in these sectors.
The one stop trade only show for anyone working in or supplying to the hospitality and catering sectors in Norfolk and the East Anglian Region.
With over 150 stands, a restaurant and a demonstration stage offering a full programme of events for the trade this is a chance to celebrate the £2.6bn of business the industry generates in the area.
Many Norfolk Chamber Members are exhibiting here as well. Full information on the vent can be found here:https://www.norfolkexpo.co.uk/
Legal and trade relations between Dubai and the UK will be strengthened through a Memorandum of Guidance (MoG) signed in London on 23 January.
This brings together the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts – the leading English-language commercial court in the Middle East – and the Commercial Court of England and Wales, the world’s leading Commercial Court.
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now widely recognised as the investment and business hub of the Middle East.
The MoG is designed to assist investors, businessmen and lawyers in the UK who wish to develop closer trade and investment links with the Emirate – and vice versa.
The Memorandum clarifies existing arrangements between the two courts, defining such issues as the mutual enforcement of judgments, in accordance with principles and practices set out in detail in the document.
It accordingly reflects the historic trade and industry links between the UK and the UAE, while reinforcing a shared commitment to providing the highest standards of commercial justice.
Mr Justice Cooke, Judge In Charge of the Commercial Court, said: “A surprising number of people today are unaware of the reciprocity between courts. While reiterating the existing relationship between DIFC Courts and the Commercial Court in London, the MoG sets out the basis upon which judgments of one court can be enforced in the other and helps to engender an atmosphere in which business can flourish.”
Business competitiveness and export performance are increasingly tied to countries’ integration into global production chains and a willingness to open markets to wider imports.
This is one of the key findings of the preliminary international trade data released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Their joint “Trade in Value-Added Initiative” breaks with conventional measurements of trade, which record gross flows of goods and services each time they cross borders.
It seeks instead to analyse the value added by a country in the production of any good or service that is then exported, and offers, the partners believe, a fuller picture of commercial relations between nations.
“Countries’ capacity to sell to the world depends on their ability and readiness to buy from the rest of the world,” OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria said during the launch of the new database in Paris.
Among the key findings are: China’s bilateral trade surplus with the USA shrinks by 25% on a value-added basis, reflecting the high level of foreign-sourced content in Chinese exports; one-third of the total value of motor vehicles exported from Germany actually comes from other countries; nearly 40% of the total value of China’s electronics exports come from foreign sources.
While conventional trade data suggests that services represent less than one-quarter of total trade, on a value-added basis services trade reaches an average 50% of OECD countries’ exports.
It is in fact well above that in the USA, the UK, France, Germany and Italy – in large part because services add significant value to manufacturing output.
Video is taking over, in fact by 2019 it is predicted 80% of all internet traffic will be video, so if you’re not already using it you’re in danger of getting left behind. In an age where everyone is capable of creating their own material, video content faces enormous competition to stand out from the crowd.
To shed some light on this powerful marketing tool, the Chamber is delighted to welcome Charlie Gauvain from Eye Film, to our Norwich Business Breakfast who will explain how to develop a bespoke and compelling video strategy that’s right for your business. Charlie will suggest how you can sharpen your own video production, or when the right time is to consult a professional, so that you can ensure your video content is engaging, exciting and generates a return on your investment.
More about Charlie:
Charlie is the MD at Eye Film, and has produced over 100 hours of television and online content. He was spotted by the founder of Eye film Frank Prendergast in 1998, having already established himself with production credentials on huge films such as Independence Day. Since then, Charlie has produced video content for C4, ITV, BBC and Animal Planet and has represented the East on The Producers Alliance of Cinema and Television’s Board (PACT). Since 2000, the company has been BAFTA nominated, won three creative industry awards and a Royal Television Society award and worked with the likes of David Attenborough.
Coming from the documentary industry, he knows how to produce the most beautifully shot, engaging content that can make the difference between having material that resonates with consumers and gets shared and talked about to being lost in the noisy world of digital media.
This breakfast event is perfect for businesses looking to broaden their network contacts. Come along to hear about how you can enhance your promotional video presence, whilst at the same time experience the ultimate networking experience at Caistor Hall. A full English breakfast will be provided (along with a continental option) and you can make those important connections with some of Norfolk’s biggest names in business.
Book a stand
Interested in taking an exhibition stand at a business breakfast? The stand package is £75+VAT and includes your event ticket. Email us
Sponsor this event
Want more exposure for your business? Sponsoring an event puts your logo in front of our 900+ members and more! Sole sponsorship is £550+VAT. More information here or email us.
To comply with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Carriage of Dangerous Goods By Air, Royal Mail has updated rules which prohibit specific products from international services.
It will now be possible to send lithium batteries contained in a device in the international post, subject to packaging requirements. All lithium batteries were previously prohibited from international parcels. Lithium batteries not installed in a device continue to be prohibited.
Also, with effect from 14 January 2013, beverages with alcohol content above 24% ABV are prohibited from international parcels. Aerosols, nail varnish, perfumes and aftershaves continue to be banned, as regards sending to international destinations, for all business customers.
Royal Mail points out that dangerous goods transport regulations also apply to other parcel delivery companies.
The Civil Aviation Authority, Department for Transport and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have agreed updated rules with Royal Mail for individuals sending small quantities of specific, previously prohibited consumer items through the post to UK addresses.
It is intended that these will come into effect on 15 July, following public consultation expected to begin in March.
Ernst & Young’s annual globalisation report suggests that there are increasing challenges when operating in some BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) economies, as well as slowing growth in some of these markets.
As a result, nearly half of the survey’s respondents expect an increase in protectionism in the BRIC countries. In contrast, respondents see a decline in protectionism as more likely in other, smaller, rapid growth markets.
These markets show consistently high economic growth close to that of the leading BRICs.
Turkey, Mexico and Indonesia closely shadow China and India in terms of GDP growth from 2000 through 2015, for example, while Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as several countries and regions in Africa, are all shaping up to be among the most dynamic parts of the world for investment.
The number of executives questioned who view rapid-growth markets, other than the BRICs, as the most important source of new revenue nearly doubles, from 26% today to 45% in three years time.
They are planning accordingly, with South Africa, Indonesia, Mexico and Turkey reported to be the most competitive locations.
Despite weak growth in 2012, and an uncertain economic outlook in many markets for 2013, globalisation is still increasing among a majority of the world’s 60 leading economies, according to the report, “Looking beyond the obvious: globalisation and new opportunities for growth”.
As well as the growth of the “second tier” markets such as Mexico and Turkey, the report also forecasts the rise of smaller European countries, including Belgium, Slovakia and Hungary.
Norfolk’s largest business exhibition, ‘Opportunities 2013’ on 14 March at Norwich City Football Club, is a must-attend for businesses looking to exhibit their products and services because there will be a guaranteed footfall of people attending throughout the day.
You can take a stand in one of six themed business zones designed to help visitors to grow their business and find the areas which are of most interest. They are Enterprise, Advice & Finance, Hospitality & Leisure, Technology, Promotion & Marketing and HR & Training.
Caroline Williams, CEO of Norfolk Chamber, which is holding the event, said: “Suppliers wanting to enhance their business are advised to take a stand at the event because there is so much going on throughout the day, which means there will be a huge footfall of potential customers. For suppliers, this will be a vital captive audience to promote themselves and be part of the region’s biggest business show.”
Highlights of the event include a Meet the Buyer event called Open4business, where suppliers will have the opportunity to pitch to key private and public sector buyers at pre-booked, 10-minute, one-to-one meetings. This year there are more buyers than ever before, with more than 36 signed up for the event. They include a wide range of councils and colleges, Kinnerton, Adnams, Perenco, Norwich City Football Club and many others.
Visitors will also be attending a series of three, 40-minute interactive and informative workshops designed to help boost business skills and give a real competitive edge. Topics are: ‘Networking so easy anyone can do it’, delivered by Mark Rhodes, of Rhodes2success; ‘Broadband: it’s more than just speed’, by Mike Joes of Modello (sponsored by BT Business); and ‘How to get results for email marketing’, by David Tillyer, of 101 Smart Ltd.
Also likely to bring in a great deal of visitors is the event’s Networking United event, which brings together a range of Norfolk networking groups under one roof, with the aim of making those vital connections. This presents an ideal opportunity to bring along some business cards and make contacts.
To book your stand, or to find out more about ‘Opportunities 2013’, go here
If you want to make business contacts through networking, then don’t miss Networking United which is part of the Opportunities 2013 event to be held on 14 March at Norwich City Football Club.
For the first time, the free-to-attend Opportunities 2013 event will feature Networking United held 12.30 – 1.3.30 in the Norfolk Lounge, which will bring together a range of Norfolk networking groups under one roof, with the aim of making those vital connections.
Prior to the Networking United will be held a free workshop called: ‘Networking so easy anyone can do it’, delivered by the dynamic Mark Rhodes, of Rhodes2success who was such a success at the Chamber’s Unlocking Success conference last November. To book please go onto the event website
Caroline Williams, CEO of Norfolk Chamber, commented: “Networking is one of the most successful ways to do business, make contacts and form new business relationships, so we have created the Networking United event to bring the business community together in one place. We advise anyone to come along with a stack of business cards and make those connections.”
‘Opportunities 2013’ also features Norfolk’s largest business exhibition, where suppliers from around the region can promote their products and services. The exhibition is divided into six themed business zones designed to help you grow your business and find the areas which are of most interest. They are Enterprise, Advice & Finance, Hospitality & Leisure, Technology, Promotion & Marketing and HR & Training.
In addition, ‘Opportunities 2013’ includes a Meet the Buyer event called Open4business, where suppliers will have the opportunity to pitch to key private and public sector buyers at pre-booked, 10-minute, one-to-one meetings. This year there are more buyers than ever before, with more than 35 signed up for the event. They include a wide range of councils and colleges, Kinnerton, Adnams, Perenco, Norwich City Football Club and many others.
Visitors can also attend a series of three, 40-minute interactive and informative workshops designed to help boost business skills and give a real competitive edge. Topics are: ‘Networking so easy anyone can do it’, delivered by Mark Rhodes, of Rhodes2success; ‘Broadband: it’s more than just speed’, by Mike Joes of Modello (sponsored by BT Business); and ‘How to get results for email marketing’, by David Tillyer, of 101 Smart Ltd.
To register for the Networking United, or to find out more about ‘Opportunities 2013’, go here
Big Sky Additions is an owner managed business run by Justin Murray and Sam Holt who are the faces and hands on expert consultants of a growing successful local business specialising in Accountancy Search & Selection.
We provide a professional, honest and consultative service to companies and candidates across Norfolk. Our expertise and knowledge of the accountancy job market makes us ideally placed to help you find the right staff or the right job with the minimum of fuss.
We offer permanent, contract and temporary solutions within industry, public sector and professional practice.
Above all we focus on delivering a fresh, innovative and personal approach specifically designed to meet our clients ‘needs and candidates’ skills.
The recruitment industry has changed. Yes, the internet has made it easier for agencies to find more candidates, but too often this means a less targeted approach, resulting in disappointment for client and job seeker alike. This is where we’re different.
We rely on personal recommendation and referral
We combine innovative advertising with a continually refreshed database
We employ headhunting, networking and social media
This means we reach the 80% of the market not already on the job market. Which means greater quality and choice and less duplication for the client.
We work closely with local businesses in advising, targeting and sourcing highly skilled Accountancy professionals.
Big Sky Additions are not restricted to a 9-5 working day, you are VERY welcome to call us outside of these hours.
Businesses across the UK, including Norfolk, are being asked to nominate planning regulations to be simplified or removed as part of the government’s “Red Tape Challenge” initiative.