Commenting on the inflation statistics for October 2017, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:
“Inflation was surprisingly unchanged in October, as falling fuel and furniture prices helped to a keep a lid on overall UK price growth.
“It remains probable that even if inflation drifts above 3% in the coming months, it will only remain in letter-writing territory for a limited period, with slowing price growth at the factory gate suggesting that supply chain price pressures are easing. The impact of the decline in the value of sterling following the EU referendum will slip out of the calculation by the end of the year, easing the increase in UK price growth.
“With UK economic conditions expected to remain subdued for a prolonged period, it is vital that the Autumn Budget pulls out all the stops to support business growth, at a time of significant uncertainty and change, including cutting up-front business costs.”
We have been informed by the Egyptian-British Chamber of COmmerce that Egypt’s Minister of Supply has issued a decree obliging all food companies to print a price label on all their products in clear.
Here are the highlights, in brief:
– The decision, which was published in the state’s official gazette on Tuesday 24th of October 2017, includes companies that produce food products locally as well as those that package imported products. – The decree also prohibits dealing with un-priced products anywhere down the line; whether in retail, packing or distribution. – The supply ministry has given a deadline of 31 December for dealers to sell any unlabelled products, which should also have set prices prior to the end of the deadline. – The decree also imposes penalties on those who violate the law with one to five years in prison and a fine between EGP 300 and EGP 1,000, in accordance with Article 9 of the compulsory pricing and profit regulation law. However, updates or amendments of the decree may come out soon, we will keep you up to date.
On Thursday 9th November, over 60 delegates joined us for a business breakfast at the Great Yarmouth Racecourse. Delegates enjoyed coffee on arrival and time to network before the morning was started off by Chris Sargisson Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. Chris highlighted that the Norfolk Chamber are fully supporting the dualling of the A47.
Once breakfast was served David Powles, Editor for the EDP, facilitated the presentations and discussions from the A47 Alliance campaign. David advised that the EDP would be fully supporting the A47 Alliance’s campaign and said: “For too long Norfolk has been held up by poor transport. Unreliable roads means the county doesn’t function as the gateway to growth that it should be.”
Outlining the A47 Alliance’s plans for the future, Cllr Martin Wilby, Chair of the A47 Alliance and David Cumming, Principal Infrastructure Growth Planner for Norfolk County Council, highlighted how improvements to the A47 would impact Norfolk businesses in the years to come. Cllr Martin Wilby, said: “We’re desperate for investment along the A47 to support business and tourism.”
The morning was concluded with Q&A session with a panel including Cllr Martin Wilby, David Cumming and Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager at Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. Questions included: ‘How can the businesses support the campaign to dual the A47?’
Commenting on the need to fully dual the A47, Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager for Norfolk Chamber said:
“Norfolk’s infrastructure has lagged behind the rest of the UK and we should be unapologetic in voicing our infrastructure needs. Norfolk Chamber will continue to rally its members and lobby hard to achieve the goal of fully dualling the A47. It is already evident that poor infrastructure is restricting business growth in Norfolk. Improvements along the A47 will help the local business community deliver greater economic growth and jobs for our region.
“The Norfolk business community can show their support for A47 improvements by signing up to the online campaign by the Norfolk Chamber, which will help build the business case for further funding to deliver more improvements to the A47. Sign up now.
The UK has been named “Country of Honour” at the forthcoming Chinese International Industry Fair, the flagship event for advanced manufacturing in China with more than 2500 exhibitors and 160,000 visitors.
Although the UK Government has not made clear what advantages this title carries with it, the event is clearly being viewed as important with the Minister for Trade and Export Promotion and the Northern Powerhouse Minister leading a 100-strong business delegation.
They will no doubt be encouraged by statements made by President Xi at the recent 19th Communist Party Congress.
“China will only become more and more open,” he said, before going on to promise that “all businesses registered in China will be treated equally.”
More autonomy will be given to Free Trade Zones (FTZs) and more effort will be made to explore the establishment of Free Trade Ports, the President announced. He also called for the further opening up of services given that the proportion of China’s trade in services accounts for about 18% of total foreign trade, lower than the global average.
A more detailed look at what the future holds for trade between the UK and China can be found in a report produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
China’s New Leadership Rolls Out New Blueprint for Future Development: Business Review of China’s 19th Party Congress can be found here.
For more information on trading with China, please contact us on 01603 729712 or email export@norfolkchamber.co.uk
Musical Keys is a Norfolk charity which provides inclusive music and arts based projects for people living with disability and additional needs.
The charity was established in 1990 by a small group of parents of children with complex disability and additional needs. At the time, there was little provision for families in their situation and so with the gut feeling that music and movement could make a difference to their child’s development and wellbeing, Musical Keys was formed. And we haven’t looked back! From those early days, a comprehensive programme of music, movement and arts based activities has grown. Our sessions are inclusive of all disability and our workshop leaders are trained to be able to adapt to the needs of the participants. We reach people of all ages and our portfolio of work includes:
• Regular music and movement groups for early years and families. A number of age appropriate sessions which focus on the early years, through to adults in their thirties with complex needs. Offering participants the opportunity to express themselves in a safe and non-judgemental environment, the sessions aid their development. Our sessions provide a vital support network for families and carers.
• Hospitals and Hospice. In addition to our regular groups, our workshop leaders attend the children’s wards of the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn. Providing a fun and inclusive environment which breaks up the monotony and stress of long and often complex medical care. We also attend the EACH at Quidenham where sessions are relaxed and utilise sensory provision.
• Short Breaks programme for young people (aged 6 – 25). Our ‘Discover Experience Arts’ project, or DXA for short, offers day sessions for young people with disability and complex additional needs. The sessions are tailored to the participants and include a range of art forms and ways of exploring music. Participants are supported to express themselves, learn new skills and build confidence. Most notably, the experienced workshop leaders are able to involve the participants in such a way that every individual is able to contribute on an equal level, regardless of their level of ability.
• One to One sessions. A number of one-to-one sessions have been developed in response to need for children, young people and adults with complex needs to develop skills with a musical instrument.
• Older people with dementia. Regular group sessions to support adults living with dementia take place in care homes in Norwich.
• Drug and Alcohol Support. Weekly two-hour sessions focusing on music making and production workshop for adults who are coping with drug and alcohol related issues.
Musical Keys is administered by four part-time staff who ensure that the work we do is relevant to the needs of the participants and families who we support. Our freelance workshop leaders are trained and experienced in working with disability; delivering our work with the support of valued volunteers. The difference our work makes to the participants and their families, cannot be understated, as recent feedback shows: “The support I received from staff and parents was a life line, you often feel very alone and isolated, but they gave me a sense of worth and I felt I belonged” (parent)
“[Musical Keys] is a really important part of my son’s routine. He has been attending for years and I’m convinced it’s contributed significantly to aspects of his development” (parent)
As a small charity, we rely on the financial support of donations from Trusts and Foundations, Individuals and Corporates, in order to continue to make a difference to the lives of those with disability and complex needs. “Our decision to join Norfolk Chamber of Commerce was not a difficult one to make” says Alison Cooper, Fundraiser for Musical Keys – “we welcome the opportunity to network with the business community in Norfolk with the view to raising our profile as well as much needed funds to continue our work. Existing as a charity is challenging in the financial climate we are faced with – in order to progress and develop, we have to be seen to be engaging with local businesses and forging meaningful professional relationships, if we are to get ahead and continue to make a difference. I’m not going to achieve that for the organisation by sitting behind my desk!”.
If you are interested in supporting our work you can contact Alison Cooper, Fundraiser.
alison@musicalkeys.co.uk
Further information on our services can be found on our website:
In a further effort to strengthen its global bilateral trade and investment relationships in a post-Brexit world, the UK has opened discussions with three countries in South America.
Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are the focus of what the Department for International Trade (DIT) is calling a new “trade dialogue”.
Speaking in Lima, Peru, Trade Policy Minister Greg Hands said that the UK is activating new trade dialogues to provide continuity with emerging markets in Latin America.
“We want continuing access for export opportunities for British businesses,” he explained.
Mr Hands also took the opportunity to announce that UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, will double financial support for UK-Peru trade. UKEF will now provide up to £4 billion of financing to UK exporters and buyers of UK goods and services in Peru.
On behalf of Peru, Eduardo Ferreyros, Minister for Trade and Tourism, stressed the importance of the UK as a partner in Europe, saying that he looked forward to boosting trade and investment ties as new opportunities arise for businesses.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the UK’s Minister for Investment, Mark Garnier.
Following a meeting with Ecuador’s Minister for External Trade, Pablo Campana, Mr Garnier said: “The economies of Latin America have already seen steady growth. We want UK companies to take advantage of the opportunities.”
In 2015, total trade in goods and services between the UK and all South American countries totalled £12.4 billion. The UK’s biggest exports to the region include spirits, cars and medical equipment; among the most significant imports are coffee, nuts and fruit.
If you wish to link with the British Chambers in the above countries please contact us and we will introduce you to them.
Over 40 delegates attended the latest HR Forum on Wednesday 8th November.
This afternoon session, delivered by expert speakers, Tom Sharpe and Lorna Townsend from Birketts, sparked interesting debates around the right way to carry out effective employee investigations.
Tackling this sensitive area of HR management, delegates reviewed a thought provoking case study, investigating an incident of harassment in the workplace. There was also an opportunity to practice questioning techniques, for delegates to hone their skills in carrying out their own investigations.
Norfolk Chamber’s HR Forums cover a range of core areas of interest to HR professionals, business owners and managers. The next HR Forum will take place Wednesday 7th March 2018.
We are pleased to say that we are now certified with Cyber Essentials.
Cyber Essentials aims to help organisations implement basic levels of protection against cyber-attacks. By being certified, this demonstrates our commitment to cyber security.
To ensure we are compliant we took a number of actions on our journey to achieving Cyber Essentials Accreditation.
Engaged with Paul Maskall, former Cyber Security Advisor, Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies to conduct a Cyber Health Check with our IT providers, Computer Service Centre
Educated staff on the implications of Cyber Security and engaged with the board
Added Cyber Security as a risk to our internal risk register which is reviewed at a quarterly basis at our board meetings
Implemented a Bring Your Own Device Policy for staff to use their own devices safely for work purposes.
Introduced a password management system
However our journey doesn’t stop there, we will be constantly assessing what else we need to do to protect ourselves from being vulnerable to a cyber crime and to protect our customers data.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a government-backed scheme to help organisations get a clear picture of how they can protect their business from common cyber threats. It also allows organisations to demonstrate to customers that they have taken essential precautions, through obtaining the Cyber Essentials badge.
Business benefits
A cost effective process to check your business has taken basic cyber security precautions
Reduce the risk to your business from common cyber threats by ensuring good cyber practice
Differentiate your business from you competitors by demonstrating that you take cyber security seriously
Meet the conditions of contracts and customers that request Cyber Essentials as a mandatory requirement
Why Chamber Cyber Essentials?
Chamber Cyber Essentials offers the standard level and is awarded after completion of a verified self-assessment via APMG’s online Platform. Certificates have been issued in as little as two hours.
The unique Chamber Cyber Essentials platform will enable you to:
Complete your application at your own pace
Only pay when you are ready to submit your application
Share your application with your team so they can contribute their expertise
Upload evidence to the encrypted database to support your application
Instantly receive your certificate
Chamber Members can access a £25 discount on the certification fee of £300 + VAT.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has set out 10 steps for reducing delays at UK-EU borders after Brexit. Top of the list – and described by the Association as essential – is the need to ensure that all customs and security documentation is paperless.
In practice, the FTA argues, that means not only ensuring that the new HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Customs Declaration System (CDS) can process the estimated 250 million additional declarations required, but also that traders are able to access and use it from day one.
The FTA also wants to see an approved exporter system developed, which would be recognised by the EU and which would enable authorised companies to avoid producing documents for each consignment.
Furthermore, given the need for any trader doing business outside the EU to have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number, UK businesses must be provided with them ahead of Brexit.
Pointing out that it currently takes between one and three days for HMRC to process EORI applications, the FTA is calling for the authorisation process to be speeded up.
“Trade is not something that can simply sort itself out at the last minute,” the Association’s James Hookham pointed out.
Without a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU and a new customs agreement, UK businesses face a very difficult trading environment post-Brexit, he warned.
Both the UK and EU negotiating team owe it to businesses on both sides of the Channel to find solutions now, before trade grinds to a halt, Mr Hookham concluded.
The FTA’s paper Keep Britain Trading: 10 Ways to Make Customs Borders Work After Brexit can be found at www.fta.co.uk.
For more information about Certificates of Origin and other documentation you may require, please contact us on 01603 729712 or email export@norfolkchamber.co.uk.
Norfolk Chamber has recently recruited additional members to its Board of Directors. Four new Board members have been appointed, which takes the Board to a total of 16 members.
Jonathan Cage, President of Norfolk Chamber said:
“We were pleased to receive such a large number of applicants for the Board. All of an extremely high calibre, with great all round business skills and experience. This made it very difficult to select a shortlist of candidates for interview and made the decision even tougher for the interview panel to make their final selections.”
“Our new Board members will help give Norfolk Chamber stronger representation by size of company and by sector and will allow us to truly be the voice of our membership. I am looking forward to working with them all to support and promote issues affecting the business community in Norfolk.”
Helen Lewis – Director of Research and Innovation Division – University of East Anglia
Glen Webster – Area Business Manager – Barclays plc
The four new members were also joined by the new President of West Norfolk Chamber Council, Michael Baldwin, the General Manager of the Bank House Hotel in King’s Lynn. Michael replaced Heather Garrod, who stepped down at the Chamber’s AGM in October, after 8 years of service.
The Norfolk Chamber Board is made up of Chamber members from across the County to ensure that members’ interests are represented at local, county and regional levels.
The uninspiring Norfolk results seen in the last the Quarterly Economic survey findings reflected the fact that political uncertainty, currency fluctuations and the vagaries of the Brexit process were continuing to weigh on Norfolk business growth prospects.
We are now entering the fourth quarter – how are businesses reacting to the current economic climate? Today (Monday 06 November 2017) is the first day of the fieldwork period for the Q4 Quarterly Economic Survey (QES).
It is more important than ever that as many Norfolk businesses as possible complete the survey.
The QES is the largest independent business survey in the UK and is used by both the Bank of England and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to plan the future of the UK economy. It is also closely watched by the International Monetary Fund.
The balance of firms reporting increased export sales and orders rose
The percentage balance of manufacturing firms expecting the price of their goods to increase over the next three months fell in the last quarter, despite the cost of raw materials still being a key concern to most manufacturers.
Concerns over exchange rates has spiked
Confidence in the manufacturing sector rose slightly, with many firms confident that profitability will increase over the next 12 months
Norfolk services sector:
Exports remained fairly flat, with the balance reporting static. The balance for domestic sales also remained static
The percentage balance of services firms expecting the price of their goods to increase over the next three months remained rose
Confidence remains static within the service sector
On Thursday 2nd November, over 30 members attended our Beer and Wine tasting evening at the Adnams store in Norwich. On arrival guests were handed an Adams Gin and Tonic or an Adnams prosecco and various nibbles were laid out for guests to eat whilst networking. Once all guests had arrived we started evening off with ‘Tally Ho’ in which guests had a series of questions they had to answer then go around asking others if they had the same.
Once the guests had time to network Bonnie, manager at the Adnams store gave us a brief history of the Adnams brand and talked through the three beers they had to taste. Guests then had some time to taste the beers and network with other delegtes. Bonnie finished off the evening with the wine tasters and a chance to try the Adnams Christmas pudding. Once the evening was over guests had a chance to look around the store and purchase their favourites from the taster session.
The next after hours event Is our Super-bowl challenge 2018 on Friday 28th January to book Click Here: