Chamber News

Last week began with BCC senior policy advisor Mike Spicer giving evidence to the Transport Select Committee on the government’s aviation strategy, with specific focus on aviation capacity in the UK. During the evidence session he highlighted the cost businesses are facing due to ongoing uncertainty over airport expansion. He also spoke about the need for additional runway capacity at Stansted, Heathrow and Gatwick. Representatives from Greater Manchester, Birmingham, Scotland and Liverpool Chambers also gave evidence to the select committee on the day.

The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill entered day seven in committee whilst the Energy Billcontinued through committee stage last week. The BCC supports the thrust of this Bill and is working hard to ensure that business interests remain at the heart of government energy policy. This week the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards will to hold evidence sessions, and the Growth and Infrastructure Bill will continue through the House of Lords committee.

The inflation figures published last Tuesday confirmed that CPI remained unchanged for the third successive month in December at 2.7%. The largest upward pressure came from the price increases in utility bills but this was offset by downward pressure from air fares. Although there is some uncertainty around the near term outlook, our view is that inflation will start to creep up over the next few months before slowing later in the year.

Recentretail sales figures were weaker than predicted. UK sales fell at a seasonally-adjusted 0.1% in December from the month before. Although retail sales were up 0.3% in annual terms, it was slowest annual growth rate for a December since 1998 – with the exception of December 2010. These figures increase the risk that the ONS will announce a small negative figure for the fourth quarter this week.

The rules on food imports from Japan, following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station on 11 March 2011, were until recently imposed by Regulation 284/2012. This has now been replaced by Regulation 996/2012 governing imports of Japanese food and animal feed. This Regulation notes that, since 2002, Regulation 178/2002 on the general principles and requirements of EU food law has provided for the possibility of adopting appropriate EU emergency measures for food and feed imported from a third (non EU) country in order to protect public health, animal health or the environment, where the risk cannot be contained satisfactorily by means of measures taken by the Member States individually.

Following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station, the European Commission was informed that radionuclide levels in certain food products originating in Japan – such as milk and spinach – exceeded the action levels in food applicable in that country. Such contamination may constitute a threat to public and animal health in the EU and the European Commission (EC) therefore imposed special conditions governing the imports of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan. Keeping the situation under review, the EC has replaced the relevant regulation on a number of occasions. The most recent version (Regulation 284/2012) applies from its date of entry into force (30 October 2012) until 31 March 2014.

A new framework to enhance the EU’s ability to enforce its rights in the international trading system has been put forward by the European Commission.

Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said that ensuring EU’s partners respect the agreed trade rules is essential to make trade agreements work for the European economy.

Covering the EU’s responses in cases of illegal trade measures in other countries, the proposal aims to provide for effective action to safeguard the interests of EU companies and workers.

A framework will be established to enable the Commission to take executive action when the trade interests of the EU are at stake, rather than, as at present, reacting on a case-by-case basis when EU rights are not respected.

This should allow the EU to implement trade responses in a more streamlined, efficient manner in order to encourage the offending country to remove the illegal measures.

“The EU’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and bilateral trade agreements help the EU economy,” Mr De Gucht said. “However, those agreements must be respected for them to deliver results.”

Action under the proposed new regulation could also be taken to compensate for import restrictions imposed on EU products in exceptional situations (so-called safeguard measures), or to react to cases where a WTO member country changes its trade regime in a way that negatively affects EU trade (such as raising its import tariffs) without adequate compensation.

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: [email protected]

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 [email protected]for further information.