Chamber News

The East Regional Growth Loan Scheme, supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, is available to established incorporated businesses based within the East of England (please see map) that have a minimum annual turnover of £500k, show strong growth potential and have a medium to long-term funding requirements to deliver that growth.

Eligibility

SMEs applying to the East Regional Growth Loan Scheme must have the following:

• a clear business strategy that credibly delivers significant growth
• a proposition that addresses product markets which are likely to grow strongly in the medium term
• a business plan demonstrating:
• a viable product or service
• a ready market
• competitive advantage
• a management team with relevant background
• the right to exploit intellectual property rights where necessary

Key Features

Loan Amount: £50,000 – £200,000

Business Location: East of England – Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire

Loan Term: Min 2 yrs; Max 5 yrs

Turnover: Typically minimum £500,000 per annum

Interest Rate: 5 – 9% above base rate, depending on risk assessment

Security: All Assets Debenture. Limited, un-supported personal guarantees may be required, depending on risk assessment

Fees and Charges:

• arrangement fee 2% of loan value
• annual monitoring fee 1% of loan value
• legal costs – £500 fixed fee
• turnover levy of 0.25% – 1% of annual turnover

Exclusions

The following sectors are excluded:

• land and property development, dealing and investment
• financial services
• accountancy and legal services
• hotels
• nursing and residential care homes
• international motor transport
• agriculture
• forestry and timber production
• horticulture

To apply to the Regional Growth Loan Scheme, please complete the Application Form and return to Stuart.Ager@thefsegroup.com

For more information, and to discuss your requirements, please contact the team at Finance East.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has enlisted the support of Cambridge Airport to offer this Export Insight Visit for just £99 + VAT, departing directly from the East of England’s flagship business city of Cambridge, to Brussels, home to NATO and the European Union.

The three day trip from Cambridge to Brussels, departing on 4 February 2013, will give UK businesses the chance to develop their knowledge of market opportunities in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg which together make up Benelux, the original single market. European Export Insight Visits are being organised by UKTI in 2013 to help facilitate understanding of export opportunities and the range of help available to companies to support their international trade ambitions.

Designed for new and novice exporters, Export Insight Visits costs just £99 + VAT per delegate. This nominal price includes return flights and accommodation for delegates, informative export-oriented presentations, plus valuable opportunities to network with leading Belgian trade representatives, legal experts, advisors and potential business partners.

With a population of 27.5 million, Benelux is one of Europe’s most important economies, accounting for almost €48 billion in imports from UK businesses last year. This makes Benelux Britain’s second largest export market. Just like Cambridge, one of the UK’s most successful business economies and home to numerous cutting-edge international companies and organisations, Brussels itself is more than just an architectural delight for tourists, being the seat of the European parliament and a leading export trade destination for the UK.

Liz Basing, Regional Director for UKTI in the East of England, comments, “This is the first such trip we’ve put together from Cambridge and the city’s very much up-and coming regional – now international – airport. Brussels is just an hour’s flight and our Export Insight delegates will have rapid access to the excellent business development opportunity that awaits them in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.”

“Cambridge is one of the UK’s best known and truly innovative economies”, said David Surley, head of business development at Cambridge Airport. “It’s really fitting that UKTI have opted to arrange this valuable trade mission from Cambridge Airport as we are so easy to reach from across the East and further afield. Brussels is un-serviced from our region and just one of several key European cities that are we working with airlines to secure regular service for”.

Ideally located only three miles from the centre of Cambridge, Cambridge Airport offers direct access from London by rail in just 45 minutes and provides a gateway for the East of England and beyond, just off the A14 and only minutes from the national motorway infrastructure.

To register for this Export Insight Visit, businesses should click on www.embltd.co.uk/ukti/ for more information, e-mail insight@uktiem.co.uk or call the UKTI East of England team on 0845 641 9955

Greater Anglia is proactively seeking stakeholder support to help secure rail upgrades for the East Anglian rail network by 2019. Ruud Haket, the Managing Director of the Abellio-owned train operator has written to over 200 regional stakeholders asking them to write to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), Department for Transport (DfT) and Network Rail requesting that the following key improvements are made to the Great Eastern Main Line (or GEML – between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, Chelmsford and London) and the West Anglia route (Cambridge/Stansted Airport – Bishops Stortford – Harlow – Tottenham Hale – London) by 2019:

I. Real improvements to journey times and line speeds on both the GEML and West Anglia routes II. Additional track capacity just north of Chelmsford – ideally long loops parallel to the existing lines in the vicinity of the proposed Beaulieu Park station III. Extension of the third track from Stratford to at least Angel Road and ideally Brimsdown on the West Anglia route

Norfolk businesses needs improved rail infrastructure in order to create the economy and the resulting jobs which we are all striving for

The company is encouraging all those who are keen to see further enhancements to the region’s train services (including MPs, local authorities, business organisations and rail user groups) to take advantage of a key window of opportunity to influence the final investment plans and upgrades in Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plan for 2014 to 2019. The ORR is currently consulting on Network Rail’s plans – with submissions due in by 19 February – before the plans are finalised and approved by the ORR in the autumn.

Greater Anglia, which is working closely with Network Rail on improving rail services in the region, welcomes the investment plans already proposed by the infrastructure operator, but is keen to see additional, tangible progress made on the crucial Great Eastern and West Anglia main lines by 2019, so that passengers can enjoy the benefits of faster journey times, more seats and further increases in service reliability, before the end of the decade. The company has played a major role in developing the East Anglian Rail Prospectus (which was published last year) and helping to create a broad alliance of stakeholders to support the aspirations it outlines. Wide stakeholder support and the economic benefits that rail upgrades will bring are crucial factors in securing the political support and, most importantly, the investment that is needed to upgrade the rail infrastructure.

Ruud Haket, Managing Director, Greater Anglia said:

“At Greater Anglia we are passionate about delivering a better and continuously improving rail service for East Anglia. We are already doing what we can in the short term to upgrade services (and already making real progress in terms of punctuality and reducing the amount of disruptive weekend engineering work), but this is a vital chance for us all to try and secure the additional infrastructure enhancements on the GEML and West Anglia routes we all wish to see, sooner rather than later – to the benefit of customers, communities and the economy across our region. We will be responding to the ORR’s consultation and proposing that a commitment to the delivery of these key improvements by 2019 is included in the final approved Strategic Business Plan agreed by the ORR later in 2013. We encourage stakeholders across East Anglia to do the same, so collectively we can fulfil the aims set out in the East Anglian Rail Prospectus.”

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said “Norfolk businesses needs improved rail infrastructure in order to create the economy and the resulting jobs which we are all striving for. We now have a window of opportunity and I, together with Norfolk Chamber members Aviva, Create Consulting, HJ Boswell and Blackwell Print, will be joining Greater Anglia, our MPs and LEPs across the region on the 31st January in Westminster at the East Anglian Rail Summit to ensure that the business voice is heard loud and clear”

Train operator, Greater Anglia, has upgraded ticket office windows at 35 rail stations across its network to provide a better service to customers.

The new ‘Speakeasy’ windows, supplied by Sonic Windows, will improve audio and visual communication at the ticket office with the aid of an improved built-in intercom system.

The new ticket office windows have been installed at the following stations:

Great Yarmouth, Alresford, Dovercourt, Colchester, Rochford, Hockley, Rayleigh, Chadwell Heath, Seven Kings, Maryland, March, Audley End, Elsenham, Sawbridgeworth, Harlow Mill, Harlow Town, Roydon, Broxbourne, St Margarets, Enfield Lock, Brimsdown, Ponders End, Northumberland Park, Hackney Downs, Walthamstow Central, Highams Park, Chingford, Rectory Road, Stoke Newington, Stamford Hill, Bruce Grove, White Hart Lane, Edmonton Green, Southbury, and Theobalds Grove.

The Speakeasy windows offer simultaneous two-way voice communication by means of an intercom system which comprises public microphone, public loudspeaker, staff microphone, staff loudspeaker and induction loop.

The windows benefit customers by providing clear unobstructed vision and amplified sound to improve communication even in areas where there are levels of background noise. Volume levels can be adjusted by staff to suit the individual needs of the customer and the Induction loop transmits a signal for hearing aid users.

Customer Services Director, Andrew Goodrum, said, “It’s important that ticket office staff can communicate clearly and easily with customers at the ticket office window. Whether finding the best ticket to suit the customer’s needs or providing assistance and information, being able to communicate well will enable them to provide the best possible customer service.”

The Manufacturing Advisory Service has a company considering subcontracting out some/all of their food manufacturing as they grow.

They are looking for an ethical manufacturer with a ‘quality’ led approach to work with them to take their tried and tested, award-winning range to the big supermarkets.

Quality, organic ready meals 250-300g / Organic pasta sauces 320g Pasta, rice and potato topped all-in-one meals – CPET trays with film seal.

FROZEN 17 SKUs across food service and retail. Volumes range from 3000 units pa up to 105,000 units pa

CHILLED Currently 4 SKUs (pasta sauces) all for retail (25k units pa currently online). Proposing 3-5 SKUs (ready meals) for retail (multiple) volume 2500-15000 per week.

If interested contact Andrew Phillips MAS 07866 927 175 or Helpdesk 0845 658 9600

If you are aged between 18 – 30 years and you are thinking of starting your business or need finance for the business you started within the past 12 months, then you may be able to get a loan through a Government programme administered by Foundation East. Check out their website www.18-30.org or phone 01284-757772 for more details

Please note FAQs below:

Q: What are Start-Up Loans? Start-Up loans are business loans for new entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 31,living in England, who are looking for finance to start a business.

Q: When can I apply? You can apply now for a new loan. Just register online, download the forms and apply online. We can help all the way.

Q: How do I apply? By clicking on register to find out more.

Q: Am I eligible? To apply for a loan through Foundation East you should be at least 18 years of age (at the time of your application) and younger than 31, living in England and interested in starting a business. We can be flexible with this so please contact the 18-24 Team for more information if you are unsure if you can apply.

Q: What is the Application Process? When you apply, Foundation East will then work with you to identify what stage you’re at in your idea process, and help you present your business proposal, for you to successfully get your loan. If successful, you will receive the funding for the loan which will be administered by Foundation East. Mentoring will be provided with the loan, giving you additional support and guidance as you go through an entrepreneur’s journey. Either complete the online application or download the forms, or do both! Fill these in with the help of a mentor, email these forms back to us and sign the last page which you can post to us separately. Simple!

Q: How much can I borrow? This will be agreed between yourself and Foundation East. We will lend what you actually need from £500 upwards. If you require more than £10,000, Foundation East offers loans up to £50,000 – visit www.foundationeast.org.

Q: What kind of loan is it? The Start-Up loan is a personal loan regulated under the Consumer Credit Act.

Q: If I receive a Start-Up loan, what are the payback terms? You will be required to pay back the loan within three to five years at a fixed annual interest rate of 6%.

Q: Will I receive any practical support? In addition to your loan you will also receive business support and mentoring to help develop your idea.

Q: When will I be able to receive a start-up loan? Loans are available now. Hurry up with your application to avoid disappointment.

Q: What else do I receive? As well as the loan, business support and mentoring, applicants will also be eligible to enrol in resources from a number of our Global Partners, all of whom will be announced on our Facebook page and Start Up Loans website, and communicated to you once you have received your loan. For example, 6 months free access to Regus’ Virtual Office Package and access to most of their business lounges across the world. In addition, applicants will also receive a free copy of Start-Up Loans kit, which offers all the guidance you need to start a business, plus more than £500-worth of offer on products from business cards to websites, netbooks and work suites.

Q: Will applicants be contacted for more details? Yes – applicants will be contacted. We want you to succeed and can help at any stage of the process. The loan application and cashflow are often all we will need to determine your loan.

Q: Who will be deciding who gets the loans? Foundation East has arrangements for determining which entrepreneurs will receive loans, but the underlying criteria are set by the Start-Up Loans Company to ensure a consistent approach is followed across the country.

Q: How will the loans be handed out? Loans will be transferred to the applicant’s business bank account. Foundation East will help the young person open an account if they do not already have one. We have arrangements in place with both Barclay’s and Lloyd’s for fast track business account applications.

Q: I’m an International Student, living in Eastern England, between 18-24. Can I apply? Yes as long as your visa permits you to work in the UK, and your business plan is viable to allow you to repay you loan during the length of your stay.

Q: I am over the age of 24 can I still apply? Yes you can! – you can apply for a loan if your under the age of 31 at application. You may be able to obtain business finance from Foundation East who providing loans of up to £50,000, if you are of any age.

Q: What else do I need? You will have to obtain a credit report, you can either visit www.creditgeeks.co.uk or contact the 18-24 Team who can provide assistance in how to do this.

Q: What ID is acceptable? There is a list available which can be downloaded on the Checklist Page. If you are not sure just ask us.

Q: Who can counter sign my ID and Proof of Address? As a requirement of the scheme we require your ID and Proof of Address to be counter signed. Your countersignatory should not be related to you by birth or marriage but can be one of the following: Accountant, Councillor, Civil servant, Lawyer, Member of Parliament, Minister of a recognised religion, Nurse (RGN and RMN), Officer of the armed services (active or retired), Police officer, Salvation Army officer, Social worker, Teacher or lecturer If in any doubt just ask us!

Q: I am already trading, can I apply? If you are a new business that is trading for less than a year then you can still apply.

Q: Why do I need a credit report? The full personal credit report – we don’t base our decision on your credit score, we ask for this to offer guidance and advice where possible.

UKTI in the East of England is supporting an outward mission that is being led by Essex County Council in collaboration with Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils and EEEGR, to introduce companies in the Energy and Energy Management sectors to prospective business partners in China.

Essex County Council’s contacts in Jiangsu Province have identified opportunities that match the findings of UKTI’s specialists in China, that major opportunities are emerging in that region and in these sectors, for UK businesses to benefit.

In Offshore Wind, for example, The National Energy Administration (NEA) has announced ambitious targets of 5 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind to be installed by 2015 and 30GW by 2020 – altogether representing an investment of over £30 billion. If this is achieved, China will overtake the UK to have the largest offshore wind market by 2020.

These developments will take place principally in Jiangsu and the neighbouring provinces of Shandong and Hebei. Significant delays in some of the early-phase developments have resulted from a lack of expertise in placing wind turbines in the sea and from environmental concerns in respect of near-shore turbines; and the drive for cost reduction in energy creation is likely to remain high in China (as in Europe) for the foreseeable future … so there’s opportunity for those who have experience of OWE development in Europe to establish potentially prosperous business partnerships with the appropriate Chinese authorities.

These opportunities for British companies exist in all areas of the Offshore Wind sector, but especially in the early stages, consultancy, surveying, cable, foundation design, planning issues, and health and safety.

In Energy Management, energy auditing, energy efficient processing/machinery and energy monitoring & control are all key areas of concern in China. Between 50-60 million automatic-meter-reading (AMR) smart meters were installed in 2011 alone – and China may replace the country’s meters again in 2015 with automated meter infrastructure (AMI) meters.

The state grid will invest CNY 384 billion (EUR 46.6 bn) to build a national ‘strong and smart grid’ by 2020, and over CNY 300 billion (EUR 36.4 bn) will be invested in thousands of kilometres of new ultra-high voltage (UHV) lines to move excess intermittent power to where it is most needed.

Companies that sign up and participate in this trade mission, which is scheduled to coincide with the 2013 China International Import Expo in Kunshan, near Shanghai, during 15-18 May 2013, can expect to learn at first hand about these opportunities by meeting influential officials and representatives of the Chinese organisations that are likely to be involved in making them happen. One of the exhibition halls is dedicated to Energy and the Environment, so you will be well placed in that respect; and you’ll participate in the East of England business conference and networking event where you can promote your company to a targeted audience as well as your company-specific meetings programme.

You’ll have access to group travel arrangements and pre-departure support; interpreters will be provided at the Expo conference; and we can assist with arranging translation of your promotional materials.

As well as your one-to-one meetings, you will hear about the issues associated with doing business in China and learn how to manage them so that new business agreements can develop into prosperous international trade. Many UK companies are trading successfully in China already, and the presence of some of our European trading partners is particularly noticeable, so this opportunity to visit Shanghai and meet prospects is designed to help East-of-England businesses enter the market before your competitors.

You don’t need to commit right now, but if you are sufficiently interested even to consider joining this mission, please contact the undersigned. You can discuss your interest with Alan, including how best to help you achieve your objectives, before confirming details that will include a subsidised fee associated with setting up your participation and the one-to-one meetings, before perhaps moving forward to your participation.

SMEs that meet the qualifying criteria, can apply for Market Visit Support that will contribute towards your travel costs.

For further information, please contact:

Alan Highet, International Trade Adviser UK Trade & Investment Tel. 07545 020351 Email. a.highet@uktieast.org.uk

This mission will be focussed around two co-located exhibitions taking place at the Tripoli International Fairground.

A British pavilion, around a UK Trade & Investment hub, will be positioned in an ideal location intersecting both trade fairs.

Last year the two events attracted around 200 international exhibitors from 24 countries and 4,500 business delegates.

Over recent years there have been national pavilions from Turkey, Egypt, France and the Netherlands; this is the first time there will be a fully-fledged British pavilion.

Delegates taking part in the British Pavilion will receive a specially negotiated rate of US$475 per sqm of stand space, a 15% discount on the standard pricing (minimum stand space is 9 sqm).

These two events offer companies the opportunity to not only exhibit their skills, but also to take advantage of a UK-branded pavilion promoting the unique expertise the UK has to offer the Libyan market.

There will be a full UKTI presence at the Pavilion, which will serve to help co-ordinate the official UK presence and promote “UK plc”. The exhibitions will also include a full programme of high-level speakers from Libya and abroad.

Please click here for further information

Vietnam has one of the fastest-growing, most vibrant economies in Asia. Over the past ten years, economic growth has been second only to China and GDP has been doubling every ten years since 1986.

Vietnam joined the World Trade Organisation in 2007 and GDP growth in the four year period since has averaged 6.5%.

The UK/Vietnam relationship is strong – bilateral trade increased by over 26% in 2011, with UK exports of goods and services to Vietnam reaching £520m. Registered UK investments in Vietnam exceeded £1.6bn at the end of 2011.

There are considerable opportunities in the following sectors:

• Power generating machinery and equipment
• General industrial machinery and equipment
• Medical and Pharmaceutical products
• Professional and scientific instruments
• Infrastructure (power, transport, telecoms)
• Services (banking, legal, accountancy)
• Telecoms
• Retail

For more information, please click here

Mexico is a country of huge potential that has demonstrated predictable, stable economic growth. It is a dynamic market and analysts predict that its economy will be larger than the UK’s by 2040.

It covers an area about the same size as the whole of Western Europe and occupies a strategic global position, being the natural bridge between Latin America to the south and the United States and Canada to the north.

Mexico is the largest trading nation in Latin America and one of the world’s top 15. As the economy has grown so has the demand for imports. UK exports of sophisticated goods and services have grown due to that demand.

There are business opportunities in the following sectors:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Consumer Goods
• Creative and Media
• Education and Training
• Environment
• Financial Services
• Food and Drink
• Healthcare
• Infrastructure
• Mining and Steel
• Oil and Gas
• Power and Energy
• Security
• ICT
• Leisure, Tourism Sports and Leisure Marine

For more information about this mission, please click here

The UK is in South Africa’s ‘Premier League’ of trading partners, with an annual bilateral relationship over £9.6bn, set to double following challenging targets set by Ministers. UKTI is focusing on high value and infrastructure opportunities which form part of the South African Government’s agenda.

These include projects in healthcare and acid mine drainage, with work in the energy and water sectors to come. There are also other opportunities that exist for the UK’s innovative, world-class products, services in different sectors of the economy.

This visit is open to experienced exporters who are interested in doing business in South Africa, partnering with companies in South Africa, or looking to expand operations in South Africa.

Some of the sectors in which there are clear opportunities include:

• Advanced engineering
• Materials science and advanced materials
• Oil and gas
• Minerals and mining
• Energy and energy efficiency
• Construction and infrastructure development
• ICT and communications technologies

For more information about this trade mission please click here.

Commenting on today’s speech on Europe by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, John Longworth, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“The vast majority of businesses across the UK want to stay in the Single Market, but on the basis of a revised relationship with Europe that promotes trade and competitiveness. It is of critical importance to business and to Britain’s national interest that we have access to the European market, but not at any cost. On this basis, the Prime Minister’s determination to negotiate a new settlement for Britain is the right course of action.

“The Prime Minister must seek an ambitious and far-reaching settlement. We start with a strong negotiating position. We run a trade deficit with the EU, so it is not in Europe’s interest to see the UK go.

“Announcing plans for a referendum on British membership puts the onus on the rest of Europe to take the Prime Minister seriously, as they will now see that he is prepared to walk away from the table. However, the lengthy timescale for negotiation and referendum must be shortened, with the aim of securing a cross-party consensus and the outline of a deal during this Parliament.

“Although EU membership is not the biggest issue facing businesses in a world filled with uncertainty, the Prime Minister must be mindful of the need for pace and ambition. This would help firms across the UK remain confident while negotiations take place.”