Chamber News

In anticipation of the release of new tenders in the waste management sector issued by the Egyptian Government, the Chamber is looking for UK-based solution and technology providers in the following fields:

• Medical Waste Processing and Management • Municipal Waste Processing and Management

Egypt’s densely populated cities present a significant challenge for municipalities. As Egypt’s pushes ahead with the construction of major new cities, there will be considerable opportunities to participate in waste management projects that support Egypt’s sustainable development strategy.

Infraone is a prominent member of the Chamber, and is looking for UK technology partners in this field with an interest in the Egyptian market 

Infraone Profile (www.infraone.org)

InfraOne is a development management and financial advisory services firm, focused on infrastructure sectors in the Middle East and Africa. It has establishments in Egypt and UAE. We aim to play a vital role in supporting governments to enhance their economy through executing and fundraising for infrastructure projects that focus on sectors of Transportation and Logistics; Energy; Water Resource Management; Industrial Development; and Real Estate Development. We provide Technology, Development Management services and Financial Advisory services to governments, in partnership with corporate firms, technology providers, financial institutions and global investors who specialize in infrastructure sectors in Egypt, the Middle East and Africa. In addition, we provide corporate finance and investment advisory services to corporate clients, with focus on Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) domain

For further information, please contact Karin Van Wesep (karin@theebcc.com) at the Egyptian British Chamber of Commerce. 

On Thursday 13th September we held our Great Yarmouth Business Breakfast at the Royal Assembly Rooms on the seafront. 50 delegates joined us for the morning which included a full English breakfast and the networking ice-breaker “reframing letdowns” in which delegates talked about a situation that initially seemed to be negative but ended up being a positive.

Norfolk County Council sponsored the event, with David Allfrey, Infrastructure Delivery Manager, presenting on the Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing. This is a project that will see a dual carriageway lifting bridge link the A47 at Harfrey’s roundabout with South Denes. The crossing will benefit the local area by: supporting the area as a centre for offshore and renewable energy, supporting the regeneration of Great Yarmouth, and improving journey times and access to the peninsular by reducing congestion and heavy traffic. While the project is ongoing protecting the environment and minimising the impact on the local community is a priority. The final form of the bridge has not been decided yet but the positioning of the bridge and the highway over it is fixed, which means that we know for definite there will be a dual carriageway linking the two areas. The project has been ongoing since 2003 and began with an initial assessment on where the bridge should be built. The consultation period for the project is currently running and finishes October 5th, David encourages everyone in the business community to have their say here.

Once the consultation period is over the next stage is to submit the Development Consent Order and begin construction no later than 2020 once the order has been approved. David highlighted the importance of keeping as much of the work for the construction of the bridge local, and stressed that he would like to see it create a number of local jobs.

We also had 4 stands from: Select Appointments to celebrate the launch of their 16th office opening, adding Lowestoft to the network of the successful brand that has been in the recruitment industry for over 35 years; MIGSOLV promoting the fact they house organisations’ servers and IT within their data centre; East Coast College showcasing their Community College services, and the final stand was held by Governors for Schools who were our feature charity.

You can find more information about the sponsor and all the stand holders below: Norfolk County Council Third River Crossing Select Appointments MIGSOLV East Coast College Governors for Schools

Commenting on the labour market figures for September 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The continued drop in unemployment and strong employment levels are further evidence that the UK jobs market remains a bright spot, with firms continuing to hire despite significant economic uncertainty. 

“However, the robust headline data masks several areas of concern. While there was a welcome increase in earnings growth, the gap between pay and price growth remains insufficient to convert into an appreciable pick-up in consumer spending. Sustaining meaningful real wage growth is likely to remain challenging amid subdued productivity and the escalating burden of upfront costs on businesses.

“The number of job vacancies in the UK remains at an alarmingly high level, further evidence of persistent skills shortages. While the number of people in work stands close to historic highs, firms continue to report that attempting to recruit staff with the right skills is an increasingly uphill struggle, which is stifling their ability to grow and boost productivity.

“It is vital that more is done to support those businesses looking to recruit and train staff, including delivering an open and flexible immigration system to help firms attract and retain the people they need to compete on the global stage.”

You can hear direct from Suren Thiru at the Chamber Economic Breakfast on 02 October 2018 – book your place now.

Get your Certificates of Origin right by avoiding some of the most common errors.

      1.  Poor goods description

Don’t use descriptions that are too vague or general, eg spare parts or brand names Do describe your goods in sufficient detail to clearly indicate the nature of the goods. Ask yourself – would a member of the public be able to identify what my goods are from the description?

      2.  Understanding Origin

Ensure you select the correct box on the back of the Certificate of Origin. Don’t confuse ‘wholly obtained’ and ‘manufactured’ UK goods Wholly obtained goods – is defined as UK raw materials or items produced from UK raw materials ie vegetables, minerals, animals born and raised in the UK or products derived from them etc. Manufactured goods – are goods which confer United Kingdom origin because they have gone through a manufacturing process. The simplest test to apply is to check to see if the tariff used for the products being exported is different to the one for the materials used in the manufacturing process. Imported goods – imported goods must be supported by proof of origin ie copy of the Certificate of Origin from the country of supply or the manufacturer’s invoice.

      3.  Failure to declare marks and numbers

This refers to the actual wording or labels stencilled to the outside of the packages being shipped. If you usually just show your customers address then you must state ‘fully addressed’ in the marks and numbers box. For containerised goods the container number can be shown. For goods shipped without marks ‘unmarked’ should be shown. The marks and numbers should also appear on your invoice or packing list under the heading ‘shipping marks’.

      4.  Failure to declare packaging details

This relates to the number of cartons, crates, boxes, pallets, bales, rolls etc. that compromise the consignment. For goods shipped in bulk or unpacked, ‘unpacked’ or ‘loose’ or ‘in bulk’ should be shown.

      5.  Incorrect designation of country of origin • For UK origin goods, show ‘European Community – United Kingdom’ • For shipments compromised of UK origin goods and goods originating in other EU countries, add the names of the other EU countries after United Kingdom. • For goods manufactured in the EU and non-EU countries, list the EU countries first before adding ‘and’ or ‘&’ followed by the non-EU countries. E.g. ‘European Community – United Kingdom, France, Germany & China, United States of America’

      6.  No country mentioned in box 1 United Kingdom (in full) should always appear at the end of the UK exporters address.

      7.  Weights and measures Do declare all weights and measures using the metric system Don’t use the imperial system of weights and measures. Always double check your weights and make sure they can be found on your invoice or packing list. 

Following a hugely successful launch of Breckland for Jobs in April, which attracted dozens of employers, who pledged their support for our young people, great strides have been made towards the two year goal of halving youth unemployment in Breckland.

So far only a small portion of that support has been utilised via employers attending group sessions; providing mock interviews; and work experience.  For the next steps DWP want the opportunity to make use of even more of that support by bringing their customers and local employers together, in one place at one time. 

So you are invited to attend Young Persons Market Place which will be held on Friday 12 October 2018 from 9.00am to 1.00pm at Charles Burrell Centre, Staniforth Road, Thetford, IP24 3LH. 

The event is being organised by DWP in collaboration with Norfolk County Council – Education and Training Department and Breckland Council and will attract 16 to 24 year olds.  This would be a perfect opportunity for you to find out more about how Breckland for Jobs works and also to showcase any apprenticeship positions you may have available or indeed any Christmas vacancies.

If you are interested in this event or would like any further information please RSVP to: Nikki David at Nikki.david@dwp.gsi.gov.uk by Friday 21st September.

On Thursday 6th September our CEO Chris Sarigisson and Andy Pitt MD from Service Service, set off for Kent in a bright orange 1968 Ford Mustang known as ‘The Tangerine Dream’ to complete a gruelling 2000 miles in only four days, and without a car radio too! The route has taken them across eight countries, and on some of the most challenging roads to drive on, such as the Furka Pass in Switzerland. The Mustang loves flat and open roads, so would not be the first car you would choose for mountain passes, but this race is all about following in James Bond’s footsteps, so it’s never going to be too safe! This road trip was all part of the ‘Challenge James Bond Fireball Rally.’

Both Andy and Chris as part of this challenge, have been raising money for a charity close to their hearts, Alzheimer’s Society. To read more and give to a great cause, click on the link.   https://lnkd.in/d3qZqU5

Good luck with the rest of your trip Chris and Andy. See you safely back in Norwich soon!

Join the Exporting is GREAT Campaign.

The Department for International Trade is looking for companies to join Exporting is GREAT, its export-focused campaign, aimed at helping to drive substantial growth of the UK economy. The goal is to create a culture of exporting in the UK, generated by a community of businesses who share their exporting experiences to encourage and help each other. These businesses will inspire more and more companies to start their own export journey, making selling overseas an integral part of their business growth strategy. At the heart of the campaign are its ‘Export Champions’; everyday businesses of all shapes and sizes from around the UK that are proudly selling overseas. By becoming an Export Champion, you will join a nationwide network of UK companies that are ambassadors for exporting; sharing success stories, offering practical advice and leading by example. You will also have access to a suite of customisable digital Exporting is GREAT assets to show your support for the campaign. DIT would like any exporting business – whatever their product or service, wherever they’re based, to join the campaign – and become an Export Champion. You can sign up here.

There is only 1 week left to have your say on the local economy. As part of the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey, we would like to hear from you how you think the economy is doing.  Are you finding the current economic conditions challenging; are you recruiting; or are your sales and orders growing?

With the second quarter of 2018 behind us, and amid growing international uncertainty, from escalating trade disputes to oil price rises, the UK economy continued to grow at a sluggish rate. Brexit is a key factor – but long-standing structural issues also continue to hold companies’ growth back.

The more feedback we get from local businesses, the louder Norfolk business voice is to the government, so it’s more important than ever that as many Norfolk businesses as possible complete the survey.

Take part in the Q3 Quarterly Economic Survey (QES).   It 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.

You can have your say by completing the QES online NOW   It takes less than 3 minutes.  The completion deadline for this survey is midnight on Monday 17 September 2018.  The Q3 results will be published week commencing 08 October 2018

Key Norfolk findings from the previous Q2 2018 survey:

Norfolk Manufacturing sector:

• The balance of firms reporting increased domestic sales rose from +16 to +35, while the balance reporting improved domestic orders also rose, from +23 to +35
• The balance of firms reporting increased export sales rose from +31 to +44. The balance reporting improved export orders also rose, from +26 to +31
• The percentage of firms looking to recruit remained steady at +30 while the number of those struggling to recruit rose significantly from +67 t0 +82
• 67% of firms in the sector expect the cost of their raw materials to rise in the next three months
• Confidence that profitability will improve over the next twelve months dipped from +35 to +30

Norfolk Services sector:

• The balance of firms reporting increased domestic sales rose from +19 to +34, while the balance reporting improved domestic orders rose considerably from +13 to +28
• The balance of firms reporting increased export sales also rose, from +8 to +35. The balance reporting improved export orders also rose substantially, to +22 from +6
• The percentage of firms looking to recruit rose from14% to 37%, but the number of those struggling to recruit also rose to 82% (from 63%)
• Confidence that profitability will improve over the next twelve months increased from +15 to +36

Norfolk County Council are proposing to improve Riverside Road for pedestrians by widening and extending the pavement that runs along the opposite side of the road to the water. The project starts at the junction of Riverside Road with Quay Road/Pier Walk and runs northwards towards Williamson’s Lookout. This section is about 1.2km long and plans include widening the footway to a minimum of around 1.5m throughout this length. Dropped kerbs will be installed where vehicle access is required. There are three main elements to the proposals:

• Resurfacing and widening the existing footway and replacing the kerbs in the following sections:
  • 95m between Riverside Road/Pier Walk/Quay Road junction and the RNLI parking triangle
  • 130m between Kingfisher Amateur Boxing Club and Dock Tavern Lane
  • 220m between 92 Riverside Road and the steps past South Icehouse Hill, which lead up to the High Street  
• Installing a new footway where no footway currently exists:
• 220m between the RNLI parking triangle and Kingfisher Amateur Boxing Club  
• Introducing two short lengths of double yellow lines to help traffic flow. The PDF plan showing the location is below.

How to comment

They would  like to hear your views on these proposals. You can send your feedback either by emailing tfgy@norfolk.gov.uk or writing to: Riverside Road consultation Transport for Great Yarmouth, floor 2 Norfolk County Council County Hall Martineau Lane Norwich NR1 2DH The deadline for comments is 5pm on Friday 5 October 2018.

We were delighted to be joined by Jack Chappell for a weeks’ experience this week, before he returned back to Thorpe St Andrews School Sixth Form for his final year of A-levels. Here’s what he thought of the week he spent with us. 

“My work experience at the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce began on an early Monday morning in September when I was greeted by Philippa, the Head of Customer Experience at the Chamber. Philippa took the time to show me around the office and to introduce me to the team, as well as giving an insightful explanation of what the Chamber does and how it supports local businesses. This ranged from promotion to advice and support on a wide range of areas, and I was given the opportunity to witness and contribute to all of these myself.

“Over the course of the week, I not only discovered the extent of Norfolk business on a national and international tier, but also the potential for growth that lies in the county, all of this encouraged and augmented by the Chamber. As well as this, I noticed the Chamber demonstrate an accommodating approach to companies looking for membership by tailoring its offers to suit their needs rather than ‘hard-selling’. The sense of respect and support that I have seen expressed to other businesses are not only values that I will take away, but also values that have been reflected in the team’s treatment of me during my placement here at the Chamber.”

If you know anyone interested in work experience placements, please contact Philippa Bindley on 01603 729703 or email philippa.bindley@norfolkchamber.co.uk 

The first ever ‘Norfolk Day’ took place this year on Friday 27 July, and it was great to see the business community of the county supporting this campaign.

The campaign was supported by BBC Radio Norfolk, EDP/Archant, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by Woodfordes Brewery and Richardson Hemsby Beach Holiday Park.

The day was an opportunity to shout about how great our county is, from our innovative business to the fantastic landscapes.

We were overwhelmed by the support and the number of Norfolk businesses who got involved from holding their own events, to creating a #15secbiz video as part of our Norfolk Day campaign. Read more about our activity here.

We are keen to hear businesses’ views and opinions on Norfolk Day. What are your thoughts on the day, and what do you think could be improved for next year? Please complete a short online survey below or here.

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Government have launched a series of consultations calling for views on the UK’s proposed future trading agreements, more detail can be found here: https://bit.ly/DIT-Consultations-East

We want to ensure relevant stakeholders have the opportunity to submit their views before the consultation closes on 26 October, so do please get involved and have your say here: https://bit.ly/DIT-Consultations-East

The UK is preparing for an independent trade policy to implement after EU Exit. This means the UK will have the opportunity to negotiate and enter into trade agreements with other countries.

These agreements can:

• enable increased trade and investment
• secure access for UK exporters to the key markets of today and the future
• give consumers access to a greater range of products at lower prices
• make the UK more innovative, competitive and prosperous

The Department for International Trade is preparing for possible negotiations with New Zealand, The US and Australia after the UK leaves the EU on the 29 March 2019. The UK government is consulting with members of the public, businesses, trade experts, and any other interested organisations to help inform this work.