27th March 2012 Ottawa, Canada
I was at GLOBE 2012 in Vancouver, from 14-16 March. The conference looked at environmental, energy and sustainability issues. I’ve recorded a short video blog, which touches on the subjects and talks briefly about the London Olympics. Do watch it, and I hope it’s of interest. Many thanks. Andrew
22nd March 2012
I am frequently alerted by commercial contacts to difficulties with the Ukrainian business environment; and have often blogged on this subject. So it was interesting to hear from a leading independent economist recently the view that there had been some progress on macroeconomic reform recently. The economist said this had included: – The 2011 Pension reform […]
21st March 2012
Britain is a trading nation. In most markets in the world – Asia, Africa, America, and the Middle East – the UK holds a disproportionately large share of inward investment and exports. But not, unfortunately, in central and eastern Europe. For whatever reason UK companies still lag behind their German, French and Austrian competitors in […]
20th March 2012
Do you know your C++ from your Sybase? Do you know the difference between SQL and ORM? If you do, high-paying jobs could be yours – in Kyiv, Lviv or Kharkiv. Back in summer 2010 I blogged about how UK-based Barclays Capital, working with EPAM Systems, had chosen Kyiv for its third global technology centre, […]
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19th March 2012 Warsaw, Poland
If I were to ask you which is the most dynamic retail market of the 27 EU member states what would you say? I bet Poland would not top your list. Yes Poland is the most ‘on the move market’ in Europe in terms of sales growth, modernisation, sales and distribution systems and purchasing power. […]
Read more on Food and drink and much more – logistics. Let’s get really serious about retail! | Reply (1)
13th March 2012
It’s been quite a business-focused couple of weeks. I accompanied Hector Sants, CEO of the UK’s Financial Services Authority for calls in Canberra and Sydney. He had come to look at Australia’s “Twin Peaks” regulatory structure, which is close to the model the UK is currently moving towards. We called on Treasurer Wayne Swan, Assistant […]
8th March 2012
Today I opened the new service centre of Stanleybet, one of the most established British investors in Romania and one that is now expanding its operations here. Stanleybet has chosen Romania from the eight countries in which it operates as the location for its service centre, dealing with customers in Italy, Germany and Cyprus. Why? […]
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8th March 2012 USA
I had the pleasure of visiting Nicaragua for a short holiday recently. I loved the scenery, friendly people and, unexpectedly, learning about Nicaragua’s role in the California gold rush. Back in the 1850s Nicaragua was a key route for those dashing to the west coast as it was quicker and cheaper to sail from New […]
8th March 2012 Warsaw, Poland
Great job guys! I’ve just got home, put my feet up and am tucking into a great salmon sandwich, a cup of Harrogate green tea and you know what, I’m going to try some of my best single malt this evening. It’s been a great day. Let me tell you why. My expert colleague in […]
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2nd March 2012 Warsaw, Poland
Wow! I recently had the opportunity to take part in a huge press briefing in Warsaw to launch Visit Britain 2012 in Poland. As a Brit who has spent no more than 100 days in the UK in the last 10 years I have to say I was mega impressed and filled with an immense […]
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