Category: <span>Around the world</span>

Global trade, and the UK’s ability to dictate its own terms to countries around the world, has become one of the potential positives of the Brexit campaign – once the UK leaves the EU it can, in theory, negotiate its own terms with every country it does business with.

The trouble is, if the UK doesn’t get a favourable deal with the EU, then this could affect trade with those countries right on its doorstep – but would that necessarily be such a bad thing? Or are we overplaying the importance of doing trade with our nearest neighbours?

Around the world News Small business

British businesses may have been dealt another huge Brexit blow with the news that the European Commission (EC) is advising businesses within the European Union (EU) to steer clear of using UK-made parts and components, because of a government decision to leave customs union.

Is this the EU looking to punish the UK? Or another legitimate problem that Brexiteers didn’t see coming or put down to scaremongering from Remainers*?

Around the world News Small business

It’s just over three weeks until the World Cup kicks off in Russia – the hosts take on Saudi Arabia on Thursday, June 14 in the first Group A match – so this edition of everything you need to know is coming at you like a Cossack dance in a Russia World Cup Special.

And if you want to keep in touch with friends, colleagues, clients or fellow football fans forth duration of the tournament, you can use ConferenceCall.co.uk to speak to up to 100 other people simultaneously, using the local rate Russian dial-in number 499-7043569. If you’ve other business interests out in Russia, check out Exporting to Russia – everything you need to know.

Now read on for all you need to know about the upcoming World Cup, as well as some handy trivia from previous tournaments.

Around the world Conference calling News

Spain is home to about 47 million people, around one million of which are British nationals, making it on of the biggest consumer markets in the EU, and a great opportunity for any British businesses looking to widen their net.

The country also has a growing economy, with householders experiencing an increased household disposable income after recent tax reform and record employment growth. This healthy outlook has led to the return of foreign investment – if you want to be part of it, here’s everything you need to know about exporting to Spain.

Around the world Guides & How-Tos Small business

Positioned in the middle of the European mainland and flanked by Croatia, Hungary, Austria, Italy, and the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia is the ideal gateway to doing business in south eastern European markets. Not one of Europe’s biggest markets, it is developing economically, and has about 20 British businesses operating from there, including Astrazeneca, Castrol, Shell and Unilever.

If you want to tap into this emerging market, and take advantage of its central location, here’s all you need to know about exporting to Slovenia.

Around the world Conference calling Guides & How-Tos

Situated right in the middle of mainland Europe, Slovakia has enormous growth potential and can offer a great Central and European base for any business.

There are more than 100 UK owned companies operating in Slovakia, including include BAE Systems, GlaxoSmithKline, Provident Financial, Shell, and Tate and Lyle. And Tesco not only Slovakia’s top retailer, it is one of the country’s main employers.

If you want to join this growing list, here’s everything you need to know about exporting to Slovakia.

Around the world Conference calling Guides & How-Tos

Although Russia only ever seems to be in the news for all the wrong reasons – from allegations of meddling in elections to poisoning ex-spies – but there are very strong trade links between the UK and Russia – with goods and service exports worth around £7.6 billion to the UK.

The Top UK exports include:

  • Engineering products
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Chemicals
  • Consumer goods
  • Education

Even so, the UK’s share of the Russian import market is behind France, Germany and Italy, so if you want to help boost the UK’s profile over there, here’s everything you need to know about exporting to Russia.

Around the world Guides & How-Tos Small business

The UK’s place in a customs union seems to be the biggest test facing those in charge of the Brexit negotiations – while the most hardline Brexiters seem to want the UK to cut all ties with the EU, Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, has conceded that border checks within the UK may be necessary in the future as Brussels published a draft withdrawal agreement under which the Northern Ireland would effectively stay in the single market and customs union after Brexit.

But what is a customs union, and why does it matter?

Around the world News Small business

Drones will be weaponised, industrial-scale hacking will be commonplace, and videos will be manipulated to swing public opinion – a vision of a future in which artificial intelligence (AI) has fallen into the hands of rogue states, criminals and terrorists, according to the findings of a new report.

We’ve been trying to tell everyone this for ages – it’s been three years since we warned the world that Google is going to kill us all!

Around the world News Technology

Europe’s most westerly country, Portugal is has ties to its former, Portuguese-speaking colonies such as Angola, Brazil and Mozambique, opening up a market in excess of 250 million people. It also has strong links with the UK, not only as a popular tourist destination, but as home to around 80,000 ex-pats.

The UK is currently the fourth largest investor in Portugal, and its sixth largest supplier, with services worth €1.3 billion, and goods exports totaling €1.8 billion, most of which were accounted for by:

  • Automotive
  • Life sciences
  • Information economy

Services exports were in travel, transport and other business services.

Here’s everything you need to know about exporting to Portugal.

Around the world Conference calling Guides & How-Tos