|
The shortage of skilled workers across the UK is getting worse and is holding back small- and medium-sized firms according to the latest research from Bibby Financial Services.
The findings, which are part of a national survey of small business owners and managers, show that over three quarters (76 per cent) of entrepreneurs believe that the skills level in their sector has declined or remained static. The skills shortage is more acute in the traditional, blue-collar industries such as construction, manufacturing and agriculture where skills levels have slipped considerably.
12/02/2003
|
|
Colombia's largest bank, Bancolombia (www.bancolombia.com), paid out in 2002 46.4bn pesos (US$15.6m) through its B2B portal Credipagos Virtual, said electronic banking manager Andres Vasquez.
"Through the portal we offer a credit line that allows clients to pay their suppliers through e-commerce transactions," Vasquez said, adding that the service is targeted at local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
12/02/2003
|
|
The international law firm Jones Day and the leading City of London firm Gouldens announced that they will merge their practices, effective February 8. Jones Day and Gouldens share the same worldwide vision and values and they have similar organizational structures and practices. The firm initially will practice under the name Jones Day Gouldens in London.
12/02/2003
|
|
The Better Payment Practice Group (BPPG) has welcomed The Chartered Institute of Purchasing And Supply (CIPS) as its latest member. The Institute will be represented by Melinda Johnson, head of policy & representation.
Supported by the Small Business Service, the BPPG was set up in 1997 as a partnership between the public and private sectors to campaign for a more positive payment culture in the UK. Melinda joins representatives from other leading trade bodies and business organisations.
11/02/2003
|
|
The Paris office of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw has recruited a team of corporate lawyers from SG Archibald, a firm that has been part of the Arthur Andersen network since 1993.
11/02/2003
|
|
After several months of price and inventory decline, a cyclical upturn in some economic sectors could provide the basis for more sustained recovery in 2003. That favourable hypothesis will nonetheless remain dependent on an investment recovery, itself reliant on industrialist expectations and company financial stabilisation.
Meanwhile, both macro- and micro-economic uncertainties have continued to undermine the timid recovery registered in the most cyclical sectors and dampen the dynamism of economic sectors less exposed to fluctuations in economic conditions.
11/02/2003
|
|
Independent Growth Finance (IGF) has announced the further strengthening of its client management team with the recent appointment of Geoff Aris as regional manager for the Midlands.
Geoff joins IGF with over 20 years industry experience gained with Alex Lawrie, Kellock and Lombard NatWest in client management and Sales roles.
Based at IGF’s Birmingham office, Geoff joins Kate Smith, credit control manager, to continue focusing on the building and maintaining of relationships with new and existing clients.
Source: BCR
11/02/2003
|
|
The International Finance Corporation, (IFC), and ABN Amro signed an agreement to provide Pakistan with a US$80 million trade financing facility
The three-year revolving facility will give Pakistani businesses better access to letters of credit confirmations by guaranteeing credits originated by selected commercial banks.
The facility will initially include five banks in Pakistan, ABN Amro Pakistan, Askari Bank, Metropolitan Bank, Soneri Bank and Union Bank.
11/02/2003
|
|
The Enterprise Act received Royal Assent on 7 November 2002. At that time the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, said "The Enterprise Act is good news for business, consumers and the economy. It will give those entrepreneurs who have failed honestly a second chance and help ensure that companies in difficulty do not go under unnecessarily. These measures will help promote an enterprise culture and drive up productivity. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders to ensure that the measures are implemented as effectively as possible."
11/02/2003
|
|
The Lord Chancellor's Department today published statistics for company winding up, and creditors' and debtors' bankruptcy petitions issued in the High Court and county courts of England and Wales during the fourth quarter of 2002.
In the fourth quarter of 2002 the following number of petitions were issued:
3,257 company winding up petitions - an increase of over 21% on the petitions in the same quarter of 2001.
4,601 creditors' petitions - an increase of 32% on the petitions in the same quarter of 2001.
11/02/2003
|
|
It has recently become apparent that insolvency practitioners and their advisers should be particularly vigilant when dealing with Customs & Excise on behalf of companies in administration. This will become increasingly important once the provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 removing debts due to Customs & Excise from the categories of preferred creditors come into force.
11/02/2003
|
|
Coface, the French credit insurance specialist, has reduced its exposure to Brazil by 15% to US$1.08bn, daily Valor Economico reported.
In Brazil, the company insures export credit through a joint venture with local insurers Bradesco Seguros, Sul America, Minas Brasil, Unibanco AIG and federal banks Banco do Brasil and BNDES.
"In 2003 we expect to get back to the level of exposure we had in 2001, but we depend on international reinsurers," Coface Brazil CEO Daniel Boulet was quoted as saying.
11/02/2003
|
|
Venezuelan public and private sector banks will have to restructure the debts of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have been severely affected by the country's economic problems, business association Fedeindustria chairman Miguel Perez told local daily El Nacional.
A recent Fedeindustria study found that 25,000 SMEs could close their doors this year, leading to job losses of 200,000.
11/02/2003
|
|
FACTORING IN THE UK – TENTH EDITION (2005)
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE AND SUPPLY
In the UK, the factoring industry continues to grow and to be increasingly competitive. However, as the market matures, some factors are now finding the environment far more challenging. The market has also become polarised with invoice discounting now growing at a much faster rate than full factoring, which has almost stagnated.
PRIMARY RESULTS
10/02/2003
|
|
Thousands of small businesses will find it easier to obtain bank loans thanks to changes announced in the Pre-Budget Report.
From April, a whole raft of sectors – including retailers, caterers and motor mechanics – will be eligible for the Small Firm Loan Guarantee Scheme, whereby the Government underwrites most of the loan, thereby encouraging banks to lend.
10/02/2003
|