The Council of the European Union has agreed to adopt a new Council Regulation concerning restrictive measures against Iran which amends EU Council Regulation No 267/2012. This new Regulation came into legal force on 22 December 2012 and was published in the Official Journal of the EU.
The Council agreed to keep the prohibition on the purchase, transport or import of gas originating in Iran or exported from Iran (Article 14a) under review, with a view to ensuring its effective implementation. Other key industry sectors impacted by the new regulation are:
Marine
Software for certain industrial processes
Graphite and raw or semi finished metals
Finance
Following publication in the Official Journal on 22 December, the complete text of the Regulation is available on the EU website.
The Middle East Association, in partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government, are leading a Multi-Sector Trade Mission to Iraqi Kurdistan from 24th February to 1st March 2013 visiting Erbil & Duhok.
To date, the MEA has organised and led nine very successful delegations to Iraqi Kurdistan and are seen as specialists in this market. The Mission will give delegates the opportunity to meet Iraqi and Kurdish businesspeople, to network and to explore new business opportunities with government officials, investors, traders & distributors.
This Mission will have a particular focus on healthcare, education, infrastructure, hydroelectric power generation, agriculture and water treatment and each of these areas of interest will have a comprehensive sector-specific mission programme organised by the KRG.
The FCO Travel Advice very clearly distinguishes the Kurdistan Region from other parts of Iraq and no travel restrictions are in place. The stable security situation has lent itself to business prosperity. British-Kurdish relations are strong and British business is welcomed and encouraged for the high quality of its skills, expertise and products.
To pre-register your interest and obtain further information as soon as it is available, please click here, complete your details and a full prospectus including costs, itinerary & draft programme will be forward to you by e-mail shortly.
UK products, services and expertise are in demand all around the world and businesses that export grow faster and survive longer than those that solely rely on their domestic market.
London 2012 has seen all the eyes of the world looking our way, providing a perfect platform for UK businesses to showcase themselves and do profitable business in overseas markets.
The Export Insight Series is an unrivalled opportunity to expand your business overseas. It aims to introduce novice and non-export businesses to the principles of international trade so that you can go on to grow internationally. If you haven’t exported before, you will probably have lots of questions and be unsure where to start. UKTI there to help you by providing a low-cost and accessible way to expand your business horizons.
What’s Included? There is a nominal charge of £99 +Vat for each of the Export Insight Visits. UKTI will then organise and pay for group flights, accommodation, in market group transport and activities.
Participants will need to pay for other food and drink, public transport and any personal extra charges incurred.
The remaining visits on the programme cover the following markets:
January 2013 France Italy
February 2013 Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Spain
March 2013 Republic of Ireland Poland Sweden
Please click here to see the brochure which includes details of how to book onto the visits.
The ninth issue of the Export Control Organisation’s Training Bulletin contains full details of courses, seminars and workshops that will increase your understanding of the UK’s strategic export controls.
These events are aimed at exporting and trading individuals or companies of all sizes, as well as government organisations, and cater for a wide range of knowledge levels.
The latest bulletin includes all details, charges and an application form. Download the bulletin here.
For more information on export controls and the work of the ECO generally, call the EOC helpline on 020 7215 4594, or email with your questions: eco.help@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Final negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and Singapore were completed last month. The agreement will be one of the most comprehensive the EU has ever negotiated and will create new opportunities for companies from Europe and Singapore to do business together. An EU-Singapore FTA will be the EU’s second agreement with a key Asian trading partner, after the EU-Korea FTA, which has been in place since July 2011.
Croatia is expected to become a member of the European Union on 1 July 2013, see here, you may need to complete Intrastat returns if you import or export goods between the UK and Croatia. Click here for more information on Intrastat
The MEA are arranging with UKTI in Tripoli, a group Mission programme which will include meetings with both Ministries/Government Organisations and key players in Libya based on the sectors of interest represented by Mission delegates. A networking reception to which delegates may invite guests will also take place. Delegates will be assisted in obtaining the visa required to enter Libya and security arrangements will be in place.
This Mission will be multi-sector, with an emphasis on:
Education
Training andSkills
Business andFinancial Services
Defence andCivil Security
Healthcare
Technologyand ICT
The MEA believes it is the perfect time to engage with the Libyan market, as Libyans lay out the future plans for their economy and the rebuilding of their country and they anticipate that there will be excellent opportunities for both immediate business agreements and the commencement of long-term relationships.
To register your interest and obtain further information please click here,
Enterprise Europe Network and UK Trade and Investment are offering ten companies the opportunity to join a regional delegation visiting Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city, from 5 – 8 March.
The visit, which is arranged in conjunction with the British Embassy in Sofia and the Bulgarian Industrial Association, provides East of England companies with the chance to participate in a series of business – to – business meetings organised by Enterprise Europe Network.
Delegates will be introduced to potential customers, suppliers, distributors and technology partners in Sofia. The group will also attend an in – market briefing from the British Embassy’s UKTI team and hear the opinions of Brits already active in the Bulgarian market.
Enterprise Europe Network, which has nearly 600 partner offices in 54 countries around the World, will outline business support services available to East of England companies trying to break into the Bulgarian market.
The mission is being overseen by EEN European trade advisor, Mark Hofman, who said: “Bulgaria is one of the UK’s fastest growing export markets and this visit will hopefully help to open a few doors for firms looking to expand their overseas operations.
“Although the BRIC economies may be grabbing headlines, it is vital that regional businesses explore the potential of emerging markets closer to home. EEN and our partners UKTI are working closely together to enable firms to make that initial contact with Bulgarian businesses that will hopefully lead to a long and mutually beneficial business relationship.”
A grant is available to eligible East of England companies, of £350 per delegate, towards the cost of travel and accommodation.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to visit a multi-sector international trade fair and the option of attending a business networking reception at the British Ambassador’s residence in Sofia.
Take a look at the flyer hereor contact Mark Hofman on 01707 398069 or at m.hofman@eeneast.org.ukfor further information.
Following the successful trade mission in 2012, European Atlantic Trade & Investment Missions will be taking another trade mission to Panama on 15-20 April 2013. The mission has the full support of the British Embassy, UKTI, the Panama Trade & Investment Agency, and the Embassy of Panama in the UK.
Thanks to massive public infrastructure development projects, an ambitious development programme, and booming transportation and logistics sectors, Panama has been dubbed “The Dubai of the Americas.” Its dollar-based economy has continued to grow at a rate of 10.6% in 2011 and is expected to continue its upward trend after the completion of the expansion of the canal in 2014, which will more than double the Canal’s capacity. The country has no current account deficit.
Panama is a hot destination for foreign investment, with the UK being the largest investor in the country. UK exports to Panama were worth £ 318m and imports £ 60m in 2011.
The mission will coincide with the biggest international trade fair in the region-EXPOCOMER, where the British Embassy/UKTI has secured a large British stand. Theaim is to make a big British statement at the exhibition and to introduce UK business to the wide array of business and investment opportunities in Panama.
Please click here for more details of the Mission and how to book your place.
One of the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce’s respected member companies, Narmer Sanitary Ware, is looking to expand to the UK market. The company has a vast experience in supplying sanitary ware and ceramic tiles for trade and commercial needs – like bath tubs, sinks, and WC’s – to ceramic tiles and ceramic decor tiles. Narmer started operations in Jabal Ali, Dubai and has since served the entire Middle East Region.Narmer is selling the available products in the catalogues or is ready to produce private label products for the UK market.
The UK based company is looking to expand its product offering to Europe, and specifically the UK. Narmer is looking for reliable wholesale, contractors or home developers and retail contacts, as well as UK agents with expertise in the sanitary ware industry as well as ceramic tiles to sell into the wholesale and retail markets in the UK. For further information contact: Taher El Sherif, Secretary-General, The Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce using the methods below. Tel +44 (0)20 7499 3100 Mobile 0044 (0) 7887722664 BlackBerry 0044 (0) 7553370082 Email taher@theebcc.com
Greater Anglia has recognised four Conductors who achieved top marks for excellent customer service in a recent ‘mystery shopping’ survey.
Nikki Scott, Cliff Knapp, James Deery and George Dell all scored 100% when assessed by mystery shoppers on the train and were praised for their good rapport with customers and helpful, friendly attitudes.
Conductor Manager, John Bellchamber, said, “I am delighted that four of my team have been singled out as delivering excellent customer service and would like to thank them for their efforts to create a pleasant on board experience for our customers. They are a great asset to the team.”
Nikki and James are familiar faces on trains between Ipswich and Cambridge. George is a Clacton based Conductor and Cliff works on mainline trains between Norwich and London Liverpool Street.
Customer service and quality standards at Greater Anglia stations are assessed on a regular basis and the Conductors achieved their perfect scores of 100% when assessed as part of a recent mystery shopping exercise carried out between 9th December 2012 and 5th January 2013.
Andrew Goodrum Greater Anglia’s Customer Services Director said:
“Since the Greater Anglia franchise began, we have been concentrating our efforts on improving the customer experience; one important element of this is to give our staff additional training, enabling them to provide the best service possible for the over two million passengers a week using our services in London and the East Anglia region. I am delighted that this training is having real benefits in practice and improving customer service in all aspects of our business.”
Chris Perry, the Norfolk Chamber’s Membership Manager was part of the panel of judges assessing the Mayor’s Business Awards. The Mayor’s Business Awards are the King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council’s way of publicly acknowledging outstanding business achievement and the contribution that businesses make to the West Norfolk economy.
Established in 1989, by former mayor Cllr Les Daubney, the awards publicly recognise the achievements of local businesses and provide them with the perfect opportunity to showcase their success.
The awards are open to all sizes of companies and allow West Norfolk businesses to share their success stories, highlight new products, the conquering of new markets, training or developments in their staff. This year the three categories are:
Manufacturing Business of the Year
Service Business of the Year
Young Business of the Year
Judging took place on Tuesday, 15 January and the finalists will be were over 3 days. The results will be announced on 15 March 2013 at the prestigious Mayor’s Awards Ceremony in King’s Lynn.