The contract to supply the design, editing, printing and distribution of the Norfolk Chamber’s bi-monthly magazine, the ‘Norfolk Voice’ is coming up for renewal for May 2017. The contract is now out to tender amongst the Chamber membership.
For more information and to receive a copy of the tender documents, please contact Jack Edwards on Tel: 01603 729 710 or Email: [email protected] . Please note you will need to be a member to be considered.
The closing date for receipt of completed bid proposals is Friday 10 March 2017.
Holly Lane, a well-used link between the B1149 Holt Road and Reepham Road, will remain open as normal tonight (Tues 31st) after gas main diversionwork was completed last night (Mon 30th).
The closure was originally scheduled for both Monday and Tuesday nights. The diversion of gas mains and other utility servicesis needed to allow construction of Norwich Northern Distributor Road.
Hutchison Ports, which owns and operatesthe UK ports of Felixstowe and London Thamesport, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Ukraine for the development of Chornomorsk Port on the Black Sea.
The MoU was signed by Volodymyr Omelyan, the Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure, during a recent visit by the Minister to the Port of Felixstowe.
Clemence Cheng, Managing Director of Hutchison Ports Europe, said: “We are delighted to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Ukraine to develop container terminal facilities at Chornomorsk.”
He said that Hutchison has long seen the potential for growth in container business in Ukraine and that he looked forward to working together with the Ministry of Infrastructure to realise a shared aim of developing world class port facilities to facilitate trade.
Expressing his delight that the world’s leading port operator had decided to enter Ukraine’s maritime market, Mr Omelyan said that his Government was committed to finalising the agreement and to closing the deal in 2017.
Chornomorsk is one of the largest ports on the Black Sea handling a range of cargo including containers, ferries, general and bulk cargoes.
Situated in the south-western region of Ukraine 20km south of Odessa, the port has established rail connections to the capital Kiev and has a skilled workforce already in place.
Import duties on Sri Lankan products entering the EU could be removed, but only if the country implements reforms on human rights, the environment, the rule of law and governance.
Under proposals made by the European Commission, duties would be removed on 66% of tariff lines, covering a wide array of products including textiles and fisheries.
The removal of customs duties would, however, be conditional on Sri Lanka’s ongoing commitment to ratify and effectively implement 27 international conventions on a range of issues including labour conditions and environmental protection.
Accounting for nearly a third of Sri Lanka’s global exports, the EU is Sri Lanka’s largest export market with total bilateral trade amounting to €4.7 billion in 2015.
Goods exported from Sri Lanka to the EU were worth €2.6 billion, with the most significant being textiles, rubber products and machinery.
The Commission’s proposal would see the EU initiate a special version of the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences. Known as GSP+, the arrangement is designed to support developing countries by fostering their economic development through increased trade with Europe and providing incentives to take tangible steps towards sustainable development.
Eight countries currently benefit from GSP+ agreements: Armenia, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay and the Philippines.
Announcing the latest initiative, Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said that GSP+ preferences could make a significant contribution to Sri Lanka’s economic development by increasing exports to the EU market.
Following the Commission’s proposal, the European Parliament and the Council have a maximum of four months to raise objections before the measures take effect.
Nigeria has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), making it the 107th member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to do so and meaning that only three more ratifications are needed to bring the TFA into force.
The Agreement, which will apply to all 164 WTO members, is expected to change customs procedures in a way that will help small businesses access new export opportunities.
It has two significant sections, with section I containing provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit. It clarifies and improves the relevant articles (V, VIII and X) of the 1994 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and sets out provisions for customs co-operation.
Section II concerns special and differential treatment (SDT) provisions allowing developing and least developed countries (LDCs) to determine when they will implement individual provisions of the Agreement.
WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo welcomed Nigeria’s initiative but used the occasion of a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos to warn of a potential rise in protectionism around the globe.
His speech came on the same day as Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the USA with an address in which he made plain his trade policy for the next four years.
He said: “Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs. Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength.”
The Cities Outlook 2017 report has been published today. The report is an annual health-check on UK city economies, with a focus this year on where British cities sell exports across the globe in the context of the Brexit vote.
It highlights that every UK city is critically dependent on EU markets for exports, highlighting the vital importance of securing the best possible EU trade deal. Norwich sold 58% of its exports to the EU in 2014 – well above than the British national average (48%), and significantly higher than the city’s exports to the US (13%) and China (2%). Ipswich is among the least reliant cities on EU markets, but still sold 31% of its exports to EU countries – far exceeding its exports to the US (16%) or China (5%)
Commenting on the report, Julie Austin, International Trade Manager for Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:
The Cities Outlook2017 highlights that many Norfolk businesses are already exporting overseas, with 58% of Norwich businesses stating that they exported into Europe in 2014. Exports to the rest of the world is also strong. At present our International Department is processing an average of 400 export documents per month for goods going outside of the EU, with a goods value of over £7.6m.
The UK’s decision to leave the EU will impact on the rules and regulations of how to export into Europe. Norfolk businesses will be considering what emerging markets they can access as well as Europe. It is easier than you think to export on a worldwide basis and Norfolk Chamber should be your first point of call to get expert advice and support.”
180 delegates joined us on the evening of Thursday 26th January at Hollywood Bowl for our annual Super Bowl Challenge.
Taking up 25 of the lanes at Hollywood Bowl Norwich, our members came out in force ready to battle for the Super Bowl Trophy. The evening was filled with plenty of laughter and networking between the lanes and teams were made up from company staff or mixed company teams.
This year Hollywood Bowl ran the ‘Pink Pin Challenge’ following its huge popularity and winnings from 2016. This year proved to be no different as delegates bowled for strikes to knock down their pink pins, winning a bottle of bubbly per strike on the pink pins.
After all the bowling action our teams tucked into a buffet provided by the staff and Hollywood Bowl, and it was time to announce the awards and winners.
This year our ‘most stylish bowler’ award went to Shane Whiley of Mayday OES Ltd for being both quick and slick on the lanes. Our highest scorer of the night, James Allen from Leathes Prior who scored an impressive 206, helped by the fact he bowled 5 strikes in a row!
Finally our team winners for the evening, helped by the impressive bowling of James Allen, were Leathes Prior! With a small team of four they bowled big to take home the Super Bowl Challenge 2017 trophy. Unfortunately, it was team Chamber who came last out of all 25 teams.
We hope to see even more delegates at 2018’s Super Bowl, save the date of Thursday 25 January 2018 and get practising!
Our next After Hours event is our John Lewis Beauty Evening! Round up your colleagues on Thursday 2nd March and join us for a glass of fizz at our VIP Beauty event at John Lewis Norwich. For more information, please visit the event page.
Norfolk Chamber is urging businesses to submit letters of support, which will be sent to Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport, for the proposed Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing.
The current lack of connectivity severely inhibits movement in Great Yarmouth resulting in congestion and ultimately limiting the economic potential of the Great Yarmouth. Particular areas that could be affected include: the Great Yarmouth Enterprise Zone, the Energy Park, the South Denes Business Park and the deep water outer harbour.
Neil Orford, President of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council said:
“The new crossing would provide much needed connections between the strategic road network and the fat growing energy related Enterprise Zone. It provides linkages across the River Yare to the economic growth hub on the South Denes peninsula. The additional crossing would also support tourism, which is worth £577m per annum to Great Yarmouth and create jobs for 30% of the local workforce.”
Norfolk County Council has recently held a series of public consultations to find out about transport issues in Great Yarmouth and how its proposal for a third river crossing might affect people living, working and visiting the area. They also provided an in depth update at a recent Chamber Great Yarmouth breakfast.
A previous public consultation on a third river crossing was held in 2009, in which 92% of people supported a new crossing. The government have now given Norfolk County Council the opportunity to bid for funding to move the bridge into the planning and detailed design phase. If successful they could be looking at construction in 2021.
Norfolk County Council will be submitting the business case to the Secretary of State for Transport for the Third River Crossing in March and need businesses to submit letters of support to:
Norfolk County Council has been awarded a £1.48 million grant by the Department of Transport to support its multi partnership Pushing Ahead Your Journey Your Way programme over the next three years.
Focussing specifically on the economic hubs of Greater Norwich and the enterprise zone of Great Yarmouth the funding will enable the partnership to help improve access to employment, education and training, by encouraging and facilitating cycling and walking activities in these two areas.
The Pushing Ahead, Your Journey Your Way programme builds on the successful and innovative AtoBetter travel planning programme and all the initiatives currently being delivered using the Sustainable Transport Transition Year (STTY) funding. The new funding will enable a whole range of activities to be supported including:
1) Cycle and walking activities
Expansion of the existing cycle loan scheme to more than 200 bikes
‘Try before you buy’ on folding and electric bikes
Fun and social ‘Parkride’ event
Provide cycle maintenance and training to over 3,000 people
2) Personalised journey planning
for job seekers,
for people needing to attend hospital appointments or to access education.
3) Multi modal activities
Further development and promotion of the holdall smartcard
The delivery of additional station travel plans
The funding will also target those looking to get back into work because access to transport and the cost of travel often restricts where jobseekers can look for work and their ability to attend interviews.
Councillor Hilary Cox, member champion for walking and cycling said:
“It’s fantastic news that we’ve been awarded this grant and it’s a great opportunity to provide a firm focus on cycling and walking in Norwich and Great Yarmouth. The programme will help open up cycling to residents who haven’t yet considered this as a viable transport option and it will provide clear information about the new trails and pedalways opening up in these two areas. Encouraging more people to take up cycling and walking is not only great for the environment but is also a cost effective way of getting from A to B and that can only be a good thing”.
Tracy Jessop Assistant Director Highways and Transport said:
“We are very excited about the new opportunities that this fund will bring to the communities of Norwich and Great Yarmouth, our cycle loan scheme has been very popular so it’s fantastic we’ll be able to expand this offering. We’re also looking forward to working closely with community groups to run activity events, safety awareness sessions and to help make cycling and walking around their local areas a practical option. All our planned events, initiatives and details on the cycle loan scheme can be found on our Pushing Ahead website, we would encourage everyone in the target areas to take an active interest so they can benefit from the scheme.”
Commenting on the first estimate of GDP for the fourth quarter of 2016, released by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“The first estimate of UK GDP growth for the final quarter of 2016 confirms that the UK economy enjoyed a strong end to the year – mirroring our own survey data. While there was a welcome pick-up in output from manufacturing and construction, the UK remains heavily reliant on services and consumer spending as the main drivers of growth. The yearly figure of 2.0% UK GDP growth is broadly in line with historic trends.
“However, outperforming last year’s performance in 2017 will be a challenge for the UK economy. Higher inflation and uncertainty over the implications of Brexit are expected to bear down on the UK’s near-term growth prospects. This is likely to squeeze consumer spending and dampen firm’s investment intentions, resulting in a prolonged period of materially below trend growth.
“A key priority for the UK government must be to support long-term business investment, including addressing the escalating burden of up-front taxes and costs, such as business rates, which are impeding the ability of firms to invest, recruit and grow their business.”
We feel that it is important that business individuals working in schools are supported, so we have developed a short training course to help businesses to feel more confident working with young people in a school environment.
The training is fully funded and we are pleased to announce that we can offer these training workshops forfree!
The sessions will be delivered at Norfolk Chamber’soffice by the Skills Service UK. The informative interactive workshop will cover:
Information about schools, Key States, qualifications and terminology
Safeguarding introduction and do’s and don’ts
How to communicate effectively with young people
Understanding perceptions of young people and how they think
How employers can successfully engage with young people
UK companies remain committed to strong trading relationships with European customers and suppliers despite the UK’s vote to leave the EU, according to the results of the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) International Trade Survey, released today (Monday).
The results of the survey, based on the responses of nearly 1,500 business people, show that the UK companies surveyed continue to regard Europe as an important trading partner. Around three-quarters of respondents currently sell (76%) and source (73%) goods and services in the EU market.
The findings show that over a third (36%) UK businesses plan on putting more resources into exporting to the European market over the next five years. Europe also remains the market where the higher percentage of businesses (18%) is planning on allocating more resources to sourcing products and services from.
Responding to a question assessing whether the EU referendum has influenced their approach to exporting, nearly a third (31%) of businesses surveyed are looking to export more. The majority (65%) say the EU referendum hasn’t changed their strategy for importing, while 15% say that they are interested in sourcing more internationally. However, there are signs of caution, with 13% looking to source less internationally, which may be as a result of the falling value of the pound making imports more expensive.
Thinking about future trade arrangements with Europe, UK companies surveyed consider the issues of tariffs; non-tariff barriers; and product standards, certification and compliance as the three top priorities for resolution in talks on a Brexit deal.
Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“These results are an important reminder of the fact that it is businesses that trade, not governments. Although the likely outcome of the Brexit negotiations remains unclear, businesses still see Europe as a primary market for both selling and sourcing inputs – even after the UK leaves the EU.
“Looking ahead, businesses want the best possible terms of trade following the Brexit negotiations, whatever the ultimate model adopted. UK firms want tariffs, costly non-tariff barriers, and product standards to be at the top of the government’s agenda for a future EU trade deal.
“The best news from this survey is that the EU referendum outcome has sparked a greater interest in foreign markets for a significant number of firms. For that very reason, UK companies need sustained, tangible and practical export support that helps them get their goods and services out to the world.”