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Here is the video taken at the MP’s event which explains why its important to unlock the potential of Norfolk’s young people

We have today received CV’s from Norwich City Council, for 2 candidates from our french twin city of Rouen, who are looking for workplacements.

They are looking for 3 month compulsory internships, in order to complete their Masters year.

Their CV’s can be found below.

If you have a possible gap and can offer this to either of the students, please contact:

Norwich City Council Andy Emms Democratic Services Manager Tel. 01603 212459 Email: [email protected]

A new European Commission report highlights a selection of key barriers faced by EU companies and aims to raise awareness of the importance of addressing trade obstacles in such a way that they can fully reap the benefits of the global market.

The report is seen as underlining the Union’s market access strategy and as recognition of the calculation that 90% of global economic growth is expected to be generated outside the EU by 2015.

This third edition of the Trade and Investment Barriers Report (TIBR 2013) provides an account of the progress achieved on those barriers, identified in previous editions (2011 and 2012), that continue to be of concern to EU exporters and could not be fully solved to date.

It also highlights a number of new barriers that appeared in 2012 and require concerted action and political prioritisation both by the Commission and by the Member States in certain key markets.

As in the 2012 edition, this report focuses on market access barriers in some of the EU’s strategic partners (China, India, Japan, Brazil, Russia and the USA).

They represent the EU’s main export markets, in terms of goods (40.9% of goods exports in 2010), services (40.0%) and foreign direct investments (41.1% of FDI outward stock): the USA is the EU’s first export market, China second, Russia fourth, Japan sixth, India eighth and Brazil ninth.

“The focus of this report on some of the EU’s strategic partners does obviously not mean that barriers in other markets should be neglected,” the report stresses. “On the contrary, the Commission is actively engaging with a far broader group of trading partners to improve market access conditions for EU companies still confronted with a considerable number of trade obstacles.”

The EU and Canada have agreed to co-operate more closely by building on their existing customs co-operation agreement and extending it to include supply chain security and related risk-management matters.

EU Customs Commissioner Algirdas Šemeta said: “In a globalised world with globalised trade, no country can ensure the security of their supply chain in isolation. International co-operation is essential to protect citizens’ security while allowing the smooth flow of trade.”

The agreement would, he went on, provide the tools to improve customs controls while cutting red tape for safe traders in both territories.

Co-operation will include working towards mutual recognition of risk-management techniques, risk standards, security controls and trade partnership programmes, ie the EU’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and Canada’s Partners in Protection (PIP).

The agreement will be concluded after the ratification process in the EU and Canada, which is expected to take place in the coming months, is completed.

More information on EU customs co-operation agreements is available on the European Commission website.

On 21 February 2013, the British Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the British Embassy and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), launched the Building your Business in Belgium (BBB) scheme – an integrated service for companies new to the Belgian marketplace.

The scheme provides a ‘safe landing’ to companies doing business in Belgium for the first time through professional advice, expertise and services that complement those provided to UK exporters by UKTI and the British Embassy.

The event was hosted by Jonathan Brenton, HM Ambassador to Belgium and was attended by UK and international business professionals who welcomed this new initiative.

Belgium may not be as well known as some other global markets, but it is an open and dynamic export market for British goods and services. It is the UK’s 6th highest export partner worldwide (Source: Hm Revenue & Customs, October 2011).

“It is an ideal place for the first time exporter and a great stepping stone to the rest of Europe” says Jonathan Brenton, HM Ambassador to Belgium, “English is widely accepted, and there are quick and easy communications and connections with the UK and the rest of mainland Europe”. He added that increased export/import activities will benefit overall economic growth in both countries.

“The Chamber’s partnership with UK Government is a great example of how business can work with the public sector to provide a better joined up service for UK businesses” explains Glynis Whiting, President of the British Chamber in Belgium. “We look forward to playing our part in helping the much needed export led growth in Europe”.

Another initiative that supports business in Belgium is the The Golden Bridge Awards, launched by the British Chamber last year and also supported by UKTI. It is an annual award that recognises the most successful UK companies doing business in Belgium. Open to both service and manufacturing companies, the award aims to encourage more exports to Belgium by UK companies and also to give British products and services a higher profile at the heart of the EU.

The Awards are operated in partnership with the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain, which has run a successful scheme since 1997 recognising the success of companies from Belgium and Luxembourg exporting to the UK.

For more information, please contact:

British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium Boulevard Bischoffsheim 11 1000 Brussels T +32 (0)2 540 90 30 Joanna De Keyser- Business Development Executive[email protected]

Or visit:www.britcham.be

Trade barriers between the EU and Peru were lifted on 1 March 2013, when the ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement concluded in 2012 was provisionally applied in the South American country.

The agreement will open up markets for exporters from both sides, eventually bringing annual savings of more than €500 million. However, it is the improved and more stable conditions for trade and investment that are expected to bring the biggest gains.

The deal includes far-reaching provisions on the protection of human rights and the rule of law, as well as commitments to effectively implement international conventions on labour rights and environmental protection.

The EU is Peru’s third largest source of imports (mainly machinery and transport equipment) and the main destination for its exports (mainly fuels and mining products).

The trade agreement represents an important opportunity for Peruvian agricultural and fisheries exports, which already represent almost a third of the country’s exports to the Union.

EU-Peru trade has grown significantly in recent years and its volume reached €9.2 billion in 2011, corresponding to 16% of Peru’s trade volume.

Colombia, which also signed the trade agreement with the EU in June 2012, is expected to join the implementation phase later this year, once its internal ratification procedures are completed.

The Middle East Association, in partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government, will be leading a Trade Delegation to Iraqi Kurdistan from 28th April to 3rd May 2013, visiting Erbil and Duhok.

The mission will have a particular focus on:

• Healthcare
• Education
• Infrastructure
• Hydroelectric power generation
• Agriculture
• Water treatment

Each of these areas of interest will have a comprehensive sector-specific mission programme organised by the KRG.

For further information, please click here.

“Bridging the Gap – Exploring International and Canadian Supply Chain Solutions and Partnerships”.

A fantastic opportunity to network with key International companies and organisations.

This is an opportunity for companies in this emerging sector to consider International obstacles to the growth of UAS, but to do so in an area of Canada where the Government wants to look at attracting innovative companies to set-up R&D/production facilities at its emerging centre of excellence at Slemon Park.

Click here for further details.

The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce has today received acknowledgement of their support for the Greater Norwich City Deal Bid. The letter from Greg Clark, HM Treasury, advised that Ministers were impressed with the potential of the Greater Norwich proposal to deliver local growth.

Read updates issued by the Export Control Organisation including details about imposition of arms embargoes, Open General Export Licence amendments or announcements about Control List changes.

Notice to Exporters 2013/08 The Export Control Organisation (ECO), part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, has amended Open General Export Licence (International Non-Proliferation Regime Decontrols: Dual-Use Items). ECO has also published Open General Export Licence (International Non-Proliferation Regime Decontrols: Military Items).

Norfolk Chamber members are calling for the Chancellor to take rapid and radical steps to shift government spending from unproductive areas and towards growth measures that can be delivered quickly.

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “It is imperative that infrastructure delivery must become a top priority across government. With the utilities and developers both waiting for each other to take the investment risk, it is essential that the government finds a way to unlock investment in infrastructure and get confidence back into the business community.”

Key Chamber priorities:

• Incentivise private-sector investment in infrastructure to support development of key infrastructure projects including road building and housing.
• Cuts in business taxation including NIC to be considered
• Introduce a firm timetable for the launch of a credible British Business Bank
• Freeze business rates for three years. Ministers must cancel the 2.6% rise scheduled for April
• Triple the lifetime limit for Entrepreneurs Relief on Capital Gains Tax from £10m to £30m which would encourage businesses who want to expand and reinvest their profits.
• Expand support for companies exporting to overseas markets to enable new and existing exporters to take advantage of new markets for their products and services.

Caroline Williams continued “These measures would all contribute to boosting confidence. Our own research shows that firms across Norfolk believe they can drive growth this year, but they can’t do it alone. Bold action must be taken now to boost confidence so that businesses can create wealth and prosperity. That means both delivering existing promises and taking radical action today, not tomorrow.”

Ian Hacon Vice President of Norfolk Chamber and MD Blue Sky Leisure said “I would say that a NIC holiday is great way to encourage jobs. On funding, despite poor performance on Funding For Lending(FFL) to continue with FFL and Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme for foreseeable future would be important. We need to continue to work with banks to try ensure it is properly allocated to the right clients”

Norfolk Chamber Board member Jonathan Cage and Managing Director, Create Consulting Engineers Ltd said: “The most important thing that I would like to see is any measure which increases consumer confidence. I don’t necessarily believe that it is the lack of finance that is stopping people from making growth decisions. It is the confidence that there is actually a market out there for the additional products, goods and services if you expand. We have a large number of SMEs who I am sure would like to grow and have the skills and motivation to do so. They are however all concerned about pressing buttons.

Confidence is achieved by promoting positive messages and ensuring that a clear message and strategy is developed for long term economic stability. The government should not be drawn to any major radical changes where again we are not sure what the outcome will be. Instead it needs to give stability and certainty with mechanisms to reward businesses and companies who are prepared to give it a go.

What I think can be done without much money is to get a positive message being issued to the world that Britain is open for business, which has to be in every bodies interests. This is not the time for political squabbling.”

Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) are organising a trade mission to the Central European Exhibition Centre, Brno, Czech Republic to enable UK companies to participate in an international business-to-business matchmaking event, Contact-Contract.

The Czech Republic is one of the UK’s largest European export markets, with sales of goods reaching £1.75 billion last year.

The central European country holds a strong strategic position at the heart of Europe with one of the most prosperous and stable emerging European market economies, and a highly developed infrastructure open to UK business.

Click here for further details of this mission which takes place from 23-25 April 2013.