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The aim of Norfolk Chamber’s event, Tomorrow’s Talent was to inspire companies to shake up their recruitment strategies in order to attract their future workforce. With the aid of seven speakers and some thought provoking Q&A panels, the group addressed skills shortages; how to attract and retain young talent; and the best methods of reaching the ‘Millennial generation’. The breakfast event was held at the Mercure Hotel and was sponsored by Norse.

Hosted by Keiran Miles, serial entrepreneur and CEO of KakeCo, he highlighted how the Millennials were social minded, different thinkers, who instantly want to know how and what they can achieve.

Gill Banham from People Puzzle urged businesses to have a strong digital presence, as 62% of young people will visit the company’s website to find out about them. Eleanor Schader from Reed highlighted that ‘Millennials’ were looking for a strong company ethos, with training and a mentor, as well as clear progression paths. Both agreed that face to face communication was vital, but how the initial messages were delivered needed to be different.

Carlos Ramos, from EPOS Now, one of the fastest growing companies in our region, clearly demonstrated how companies need to be progressive and ‘sell themselves’ to the next generation workforce. He outlined how young people today want to be able to submit their job applications via social media channels and how rapidly advancing technology has levelled the playing field, allowing practically any business to compete against larger organisations.

Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager for Norfolk Chamber said: Our aim is to bridge the gap between business and young people. To fill the skills gap, Norfolk businesses have to be able to attract, communicate and ultimately recruit and retain young people and they need to understand the best methods to do this. As part of this communication, we would encourage businesses to get involved with Young Chamber to help us engage with schools and develop young people’s employability skills and identify their possible future workforce.”

According to the latest report by BCC and DHL:

• Exporting activity is at its highest level on record (since Q3 2007)
• Export index rises by 2.85% in Q2 2013 and is 2.94% higher compared with Q2 2012
• Exporters’ confidence in future turnover and profitability remains high

The latest DHL/BCC Trade Confidence Index report – which measures UK exporting activity (Export Index) and business confidence (Confidence Index) – shows that exporting activity is at its highest level since 2007. Responses from more than 1,700 businesses show that export orders and sales have increased, with confidence levels in both future turnover and future profitability also remaining high. More businesses have taken on new staff in the second quarter of this year, with many expecting to hire further in Q3.

The index number, which is calculated from the volume of export documents issued to businesses by Chambers of Commerce, now stands at 118.12. This represents an increase of 2.85% on Q1 2013 and is 2.94% higher compared with the same quarter last year.

The key findings from the report are:

• Export orders for service sector businesses increased for 50% of firms to the highest figure on record. 44% of manufacturing firms increased their export orders resulting in the highest figure since Q1 2012
• Nearly half of exporters (48%) said their export sales increased in Q2 2013, compared to 10% who said that they decreased
• 42% of manufacturing firms reported an increase in export sales – up from 36% of firms in Q1
• In the services sector, 52% saw export sales increase – up from 44% of firms in Q1
• More than half of exporters (51%) believe that their profitability will increase this year, and 60% believe they will see an increase in turnover
• Nearly a third of firms (31%) said that they expected to increase staff this year, up from 28% in Q1 2013
• The number of businesses claiming that raw material costs were adding to price pressures fell from 42% to 33% in Q2 2013. However, when broken down by size, it appears that micro firms within the service sector are still experiencing price pressures, with 46% citing this as an issue compared with only 25% in the previous quarter

Commenting, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“For the first time on record, these results are positive across the board. Export sales and orders have gone up, confidence is high and expectations around profitability have increased. Even more businesses have taken on new staff this quarter, with many expecting to hire again next quarter which is really encouraging. This is a tribute to UK exporters who are working tirelessly to drive growth and lead the economic recovery. “But we mustn’t take our foot off the gas. We still need more companies to take the plunge on international trade and for those who export already, to try and diversify into new markets. For this to happen, businesses need real, on the ground support to help them take their goods and services overseas. We must seize this momentum and strive towards an economy that is more than just ‘ok’, but which is truly great and outperforms our competitors.”

Commenting on the report’s results, Phil Couchman, CEO of DHL Express UK and Ireland, said:

“These historically positive results show how buoyant the SME spirit is, even in challenging times. But we must not lose sight of the reality, which is that not nearly enough small businesses in the UK are even testing the waters of international trade. “In order to encourage them, we must collectively smooth their path by providing local insight, guidance and global expertise, enabling them to sell their wares to the world. Currently, there are a number of opportunities for exporters within high growth markets – Croatia’s accession to the EU this month means increased opportunities for international trade due to the simplification of export and import customs legislation. “Our exporters require support from the government, from trade bodies, and fellow businesses to invest in new markets, if they are to lead the country back to sustainable economic growth.”

Commenting on this latest good news, Tracey Howard, International Trade Director of Norfolk Chamber said: “These latest results mirror what we have been seeing in Norfolk. Our small International Team here in Norwich have processed more export documents during Q2 than we have ever seen before. Lots of positive comments are coming from our exporting members, so the feel good factor is back! We are doing all we can to encourage more local firms to start exporting and hope to see them all coming through very soon.”

As President-elect Donald Trump announces that he plans to take the USA out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement as soon as he takes office, the EU is moving in the opposite direction – looking to widen its arrangements with trade partners.

It already has what is known as a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement with Tunisia, that has been in force since 1998, but now it is considering replacing this with a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA).

Before going any further down this road, however, the European Commission has invited traders and other businesses to submit comments on its plans.

Through aquestionnaire, it invites detailed views on the trade, investment and broader economic relationship between the EU and Tunisia.

“We are also specifically interested in practical experience in doing business with and in Tunisia,” the Commission explained, “so some questions are more technical.”

The existing Association Agreement already includes a Free Trade Area dismantling custom duties for industrial products and partially liberalising trade in agricultural and fisheries products.

The purpose of the DCFTA is to increase market access opportunities for both sides and to improve the business environment in Tunisia by supporting its economic reforms. Besides further liberalisation of trade in agricultural and fisheries products, it also aims to liberalise trade in services and investment.

The deadline for submitting comments is 22 February 2017.

The Department for International Trade in Jordan is looking to support British companies working in:

• garments and textiles
• chemical (paints, fertilisers etc)
• manufacturing/engineering/electrical

As well as other sectors – please see here.Companies working in these sectors can benefit from relaxed rules of origin in Jordan, as well as low-cost setup opportunities.

In July 2016 the EU and Jordan agreed to simplify the rules of origin that Jordanian exporters use in their trade with the EU under the Association Agreement. This is intended to make it easier for Jordan to export to the EU, encourage investment and create jobs for Jordanians and Syrian refugees.

For exporters to be able to use these alternative rules of origin, production must:

• take place in one of 18 designated industrial areas and development zones in Jordan
• use a minimum proportion of Syrian refugee labour in the production facilities (initially 15% and increasing to 25% in year three)

If you are intersted in this opportunity and would like more details,please contact Jan Wimaladharma at DIT in Amman.

A survey by the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) has shown that British companies are confident about trade with China in the aftermath of the UK leaving the EU.

Over half (56%) of the 266 respondents said that Brexit would create either “many more” or “more” business opportunities with China generally, while 44% stated that a free trade agreement (FTA) between the UK and China would generate more opportunities for their own companies.

A significant majority (88%) of respondents think that it is either “very important” or “important” to achieve an FTA, and almost three-quarters (73%) believe it is possible to do so in under five years.

Ensuring a simpler approach to dispute resolution, simplified UK and Chinese visa rules and the strengthening of intellectual property rights should be among the main aims of negotiations on such an agreement, respondents suggested.

Removing tariffs, standardising and digitising trade documents, and reinforcing protection for foreign investors in joint ventures (JVs) were also seen as key issues.

Reduced tariffs were seen as being positive for their particular sectors by an overwhelming majority (95%) of those surveyed.

Based on the survey results, the CBBC has made a number of recommendations to further support UK-China trade and investment in the coming years. They include establishing a China-specific taskforce within the UK Government to assess the parameters of an FTA.

The taskforce should, it said, include key members of the UK business community with expertise on UK-China trade and investment.

Other industry taskforces should also be created, comprising leading UK companies who can make recommendations in their specific sectors. The CBBC wants to see working groups set up with relevant Chinese stakeholders from both government and business.

Further details of the CBBC survey can be found atwww.cbbc.org.

Public comments are now being invited on Norfolk County Council’s draft vision to develop the former RAF Coltishall site which envisages the creation of hundreds of jobs, new housing for local people and new tourism opportunities.

The County Council is launching a public consultation today (Wednesday 24 July) to gather views on its new ‘Development Vision’ for the former airbase which outlines strategies for a number of key themes such as employment, enterprise & investment, accessibility, heritage and green infrastructure.

The consultation asks for feedback on the proposed plans by September – and invites people to make suggestions on what further opportunities should be considered.

The Vision includes concept maps and illustrations of what the site might look like if plans come to fruition over a number of years and details how the site’s important site’s rich heritage could be brought back to life.

George Nobbs, Norfolk County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “This is one of the most exciting development projects that the County Council has ever taken on. RAF Coltishall, as it used to be known, is held in great affection by those who served there, by local residents and by the people of Norfolk as a whole. That’s why I and my colleagues are determined to treat the site with the utmost respect.

“This is not a collection of industrial units or a site for intensive development. Our aim is to make it a living breathing part of the local community that everyone involved can be very proud of. RAF Coltishall deserves no less.”

Possible opportunities to generate income which include reusing a number of the existing buildings for commercial use, returning some of the land for agriculture, creation of a large scale solar farm and areas for camping and caravanning with links potential links to the Bure Valley Railway. Providing new locations for business, some housing and the possibility of removing surplus hard standing areas for aggregate are also included.

The Council anticipates that the main runway would be retained and is clear that commercial aviation will not feature in its future plans. Proposed plans to extract some aggregate would be mainly from the Cold War runway extensions and a number of options are being explored such as the route the aggregate lorries could take to minimise disruption to surrounding villages, if planning permission is granted.

There are a number of accessibility proposals which the County Council intends to implement immediately which include making Lamas Road an access only HGV restriction through Badersfield and having a similar access weight restriction on The Faistead. There are other enhancements to access the Authority wishes to deliver which includes opening up Piggery Lane on the site to link it to community woodland trails (and possibly the road network beyond) as well as moving the main entrance to the base slightly to the east.

In response to views already submitted since Norfolk County Council bought the site some alternative regeneration options for different parts of the site have been included and the Authority welcomes feedback to further help shape its plans.

Some of the new ideas open for discussion include:

• An interpretation of the settlement of Batley Green, Scottow, which was lost when the RAF moved onto the land

• Potential for the main airfield area to be used for large scale open air events

• Private flying club, and/or Aero Homes

• Sustainable holiday park

At last night’s (Tuesday 23 July) Community Liaison Reference Group meeting (CLRG), members of the group had an early opportunity to view and feedback on the County Council’s ideas and earlier in the day members of the County Council’s Environment, Transport and Development Scrutiny Panel were also updated by officers.

Residents have until Tuesday 17 September to fill in the consultation online. The feedback received will be used to help form the finalised ‘Development Vision’ which will be adopted this autumn following further consideration by County Councillors. It is hoped that the public consultation will also be supported by a number of public exhibitions held in villages close to the former base. In addition, the Development Vision will be on display for viewing only from today until 17 September. The boards will be available to see in the site’s Guardhouse (near the entrance) Monday to Saturday between 10am and 2pm.

Click here for more information and to access the Development Vision and consultation and online survey for RAF Coltishall.

Without the Scotch whisky industry’s exporting success, Britain’s trade deficit would be 11% higher. Members of Parliament, industry representatives and the media were told as a recent Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) reception in London.

The Scotch whisky industry is now the single biggest net contributor to the UK’s balance of trade in goods.

Hosting the event, Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said: “The Scotch whisky industry is a truly global exporter which generates billions of pounds for our economy and supports thousands of jobs in Scotland and across the UK.”

Every second of the day, he continued, 34 bottles of Scotch are shipped overseas and sold to 175 countries around the world.

There is a bright future ahead for Scotland’s whisky producers, Mr Mundell concluded, stressing that the UK Government would be backing them all the way.

In response, SWA acting Chief Executive Julie Hesketh-Laird thanked the Scottish Secretary for hosting the Association’s annual celebration of Scotch whisky and recognising the industry’s importance to the entire UK economy.

She noted that the Association had met Scotland Office representatives regularly throughout the year to discuss issues of mutual interest, such as overseas trade.

“Brexit is clearly top of the agenda,” Ms Hesketh-Laird continued, “and we will be having further discussions with the UK Government on what we see as industry priorities as the UK leaves the EU.”

(Based on November 2016 data releases)

This month’s headlines:

• Q3 UK GDP growth unrevised with business investment supporting growth in the quarter
• OBR downgrades its economic and fiscal outlook for the UK
• UK job market strengthens

UK growth was unrevised in Q3 at 0.5%. Despite the slow down, growth in Q3 marked the fifteenth successive quarter of growth. In annual terms GDP was up by 2.3% in A3. UK economic output is currently 8.1% above its Q1 pre-recession peak. Overall the latest GDP figures confirm that the UK economy is growth in line with the long-term historic average.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has predicted slower growth for the UK in 2017. It has downgraded its forecast from 2.2% to 1.7%. The OBR expects 2.0% growth in 2016.

In the 3 months to September, UK employment rose by 49,000 compared with the previous quarter. The number of people unemployed fell by 37,000 over the same period. In Norfolk the recent October figure showed a slight rise in unemployment claimants from 6540 in September to 6830 in October. This is an average rise in claimants across Norfolk of 1.3%. Some of this rise can be attributed to seasonal work coming to an end.

For full details of this month’s economic review click here.