Time capsule of the pandemic: London in lockdown - COVER STORY - Issue 170 | November 2020
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Issue 170 | November 2020 www.londonbusinessmatters.co.uk COV ER S TO RY Time capsule of the pandemic: London in lockdown Page 5
2 November 2020 Issue 170 (Print) ISSN 1469-5162 (Online) ISSN 2051-9524
Regulars
Overseas business opportunities
From Spain to South Korea
Page 11
Events
LCCI webinars –
what’s been on and
what’s coming up
Pages 22-23
Two minute interview
Timi Orija, founder of
4S Events
Page 28
News from the EU
Angelina Markousi on
the latest from Brussels
Pages 52 and 54
New members
Recharging and reinventing London: new report from City of London Corporation on how Who has recently joined LCCI?
26 to emerge stronger from Covid-19 Page 56
Features
EU Exit
Economics Magical lanterns
Professor Tony Travers on In Chinatown, where else?
London’s performance
6-7 6-7
- Export documents update
- Customs declaration service Air travel Yintong talks to …
Key to economic Paul Finch OBE
- Government transition advice prospects
Pages 12-13
10 14
- Negotiation stand-off
- Preparation for 1 Jan 2021 Trade with Eastern Arabian Gulf
Europe Prepare for new
Pages 30-32 London-Budapest bridge opportunities
15 16-17
Bikeability Black business LCCI in the news
London figures in world Lord Hastings to chair new From lockdown to EU Exit
top ten LCCI association via central London revival
20-21 34 36
Front cover photo by Wayne Howes
London Business Matters is edited by Peter Bishop – pbishop@londonchamber.co.uk
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November 2020 News 3
London moved to Tier 2 status
A
s Covid-19 cases rise na- Matt Hancock described as the tor hard, particularly in its centre.
tionwide, the govern- “steep, upward path” of infection There is bound to also be an impact
ment took urgent steps rates in the capital. London may- on retail.
in mid-October to prevent the or Sadiq Khan said that this was a “Hospitality businesses are be-
spread of the virus and control critical moment for the city in the tween a rock and hard place. Their
the pandemic. fight against the virus. trade is impacted by the restric-
A new ‘three-tier’ plan was an- The new level means that Lon- tions, yet there’s not sufficient sup-
nounced, with London moving doners are not currently able to port available to help them to stay
to the ‘high alert’ Tier 2, a conse- socialise with other households in- open. Many would rather be in a
quence of what Health Secretary doors. Tier 3 area, as at least if they were
Hospitality businesses required to close by law they would
Hospitality pushed
are between a rock and be able to access grants and the
hard place. Their trade more generous furlough scheme.
is impacted by the
to the edge
Reality
restrictions, yet there’s “The Chancellor must realise his
funding packages are focused on
not sufficient support recovery, but for the next few weeks
Stephen Jones share of firms did report an increase available to help them we will not be recovering, we will be
reports that the in cashflow in Q3 However, it seems to stay open surviving – and his financial sup-
latest results from that schemes such as Eat Out to Help port must reflect that reality or busi-
LCCI’s Capital Out and VAT cuts did not have the nesses will fail. He must urgently
500 survey did not point to immediate, significant effect the Impact reassess what support is available,
a significant improvement in Chancellor no doubt hoped for. Commenting on the implica- particularly to the hospitality sector,
London’s economy in Q3. Recruiting remains soft, with 11 tions of the high alert status for in a Tier 2 area.
A
per cent of firms actively looking to London business LCCI chief exec- “The government must also end
relaxation of some of the hire in Q3. This was just one per cent utive Richard Burge said: “With no the 10 p.m. curfew to allow longer
more severe Covid-19 meas- higher than in Q2. Only six per cent non-household mixing allowed in- trading, as whatever evidence basis
ures from the first ‘national’ of firms expected their workforce doors and a reduction in journeys they are working from will now have
lockdown allowed key parts of the to grow in Q4, which was actually a on public transport requested, Tier changed due to the consequence of
hospitality and leisure sectors to drop compared to expectations for 2 will hit London’s hospitality sec- Tier 2 restrictions.”
open, as well as tourism. However, Q3. The Chancellor’s key Job Re-
just nine per cent of businesses re- tention Scheme has so far staved off
ported an increase in their domestic mass redundancies, though time will
sales in Q3 across the tell whether its suc-
capital – this was only Issue 169 | October 2020 cessor – the Job Sup-
a small rise on Q2, port Scheme – will be
where five per cent able to sustain this.
www.londonbusinessmatters.co.uk
firms saw sales grow.
Quirks
Stronger shoots of
recovery were seen The government’s Power Your Business
outside the Central new tiered system of
Activities Zone. Firms Covid-19 restrictions, With IT That Works!
that were located away designed to avoid a
from the capital’s cen- COV ER S TO RY
national lockdown,
tre saw a bigger uptick Unique Central London
needs recovery plan
have presented quirks
in sales, with 11 per in how support is of-
Pages 6-7
cent of businesses in How LBM covered the fered to firms. Cur-
outer London noting hospitality crisis in the rently, London is in
an increase in domes- capital last month the second tier at the
Our four step process is simple and designed to work
tic sales in Q3 – this was up from time of writing, which is essentially
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cent of inner London firms said their aid. The Job Support Scheme offered
1 2
sales had improved, just one point to firms in the ‘high’ tier is much less Meet us to Allow us to propose
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Struggling not been made available to firms.
Export demand showed almost no This needs to be addressed –
Work in
3 4
signs of improvement, though busi- with limits on household mixing, Agree a timeline to
fit the needs of your partnership to
nesses were struggling on this front hospitality will be pushed to the buisness execute the plan
prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. edge once again. The government
Getting money through the door should look to help firms who have
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share was 65 per cent in Q2. A higher manager at LCCI
4 Your business November 2020
London MPs urged to unite
behind right deal for TfL
LCCI and local chambers of nature of the discussions isn’t help-
commerce across the capital ing either.
have called on London’s MPs
to come together to help find Collective interests
a non-partisan and viable “London needs non-partisan
solution to Transport for and viable solutions to be for-
London’s funding, both in the mulated to secure the short and
short and long term long-term future of its transport
network, and which don’t hamper
Troubling
L
economic recovery. Chambers of
CCI has warned that the na- commerce want to see London’s
ture of the ongoing discus- MPs coming together to work on
sions surrounding future gov- this in the collective interests of
ernment support for TfL are deeply on the TfL network, particularly to the Mayor of London. the capital.
troubling for the capital’s business into London’s centre. London’s businesses also want to Our research shows that business
community. see the return of consistent central supports the network being run by
LCCI and local chambers have More control government financial support, with the capital’s devolved Mayor, what-
therefore to respective London MPs Chambers of commerce are also 67 per cent of firms stating that the ever political party they may repre-
to warn that widening the conges- highlighting to MPs that LCCI poll- grant which was relinquished in sent.
tion charge zone to a significantly ing (in partnership with Savanta 2018 should be started again. “Business is realistic that TfL
greater area will hamper the capital’s ComRes) has showed that business- Richard Burge, LCCI chief execu- needs to increase its revenue, but
economic recovery drastically, and es support TfL having more con- tive said: “Businesses are concerned the likes of congestion charge ex-
also that any fare hikes must be care- trol over rail services. Nearly two- about the reported conditions of the pansion, or fare hikes, run the risk
fully considered, given the potential thirds of firms said that poorly run TfL funding deal and their implica- of hugely hampering economic re-
they have to further deter journeys rail services should be transferred tions. The increasingly politicised covery before it has even got going.”
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November 2020 Your business 5
Time capsule of the pandemic
A year ago it would have “I spent my days
been impossible to imagine –
Regent Street empty at 9am transiting between
on a weekday, Trafalgar Square
without a tourist (or even a
jobs in London and I
person) in sight, and City Hall could walk through
a seemingly-deserted relic
against the city’s skyline the busiest parts of
the city and not meet
W
ayne Howes sought
out these scenes of the a single person.”
capital during the first
months of Covid-19 and captured parts of the city and not meet a sin-
them for a series of eerie but stun- gle person, or see a car. Everything
ning photographs that form his new was silent, and I knew I had to
book, London in Lockdown. capture it as a time capsule of the
In 50 pages of high-resolution pandemic.
images of the City and West End, “What shocked me was how
he presents the sights, buildings and many large, vast spaces exist in the
attractions without a commuter or city. Of course, the people and traf-
tourist to be found. fic usually fill them up. Without an-
yone else around, the city seemed so
Silent sprawling and dominating. That’s
“The scenes were almost the feeling I wanted to capture with
post-apocalyptic,” explains the my photographs.”
author. “I spent my days transit-
ing between jobs in London and To order the book visit
I could walk through the busiest howesimages.pixieset.com/book
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6 Your business November 2020
London’s economy during Covid-19
In last month’s given the constraints put on hos-
LBM we covered pitality, arts, leisure and travel and
the launch of the the subsequent downturn in visitors
Central London and tourism.
Alliance, the group The City of London and its finan-
set up to support a sustainable cial services have been largely unaf-
economic recovery of the fected though there has been a huge
capital’s business, hospitality, shift to working from home.
cultural, tourism, and retail Outer boroughs and urban cen-
sectors. At the event Professor tres with smaller stocks of office
Tony Travers gave his thoughts accommodation are considered to
on the impact of Covid-19 be trading well while towns in the
on London and recovery south east and east are also probably
objectives for the future. This recovering more strongly. The big
is an abridged version of that question is: will there be permanent
presentation. damage to the London economy
O
from these short-term impacts?
ne of the first consequences centres, again inner and outer, in-
of Covid-19 and the need cluding Southall, East Ham, Golders Overall impact Short-term issues
to lock down to control the Green, Ilford, Surbiton and Bromley. Forecasts indicate that the UK Business rates in 2020-21 should
spread of the virus was the major shift The lack of activity in the central economy will shrink by up to ten be looked at and a fair assessment
to working from home. This has had zone and the levels in outer London per cent in 2020. A partial recovery made, especially in central London
varying impacts so far. We have wit- have contributed to the substantial is mooted for 2021 but a return to and other city centres. Solutions,
nessed a substantial reduction in cen- reduction in the use of public trans- 2019 levels of activity is not expect- support and protection are need-
tral London’s economic activity but port, as has the fact that live theatre ed until 2023 or even 2024. ed variously for the travel industry,
a smaller one in the larger inner and and music venues and clubs have al- The impact on the capital is un- hospitality and leisure, public trans-
outer London centres such as Cam- most all closed. Working from home known but it is almost inevitable port, and sport with post-furlough
den, Ealing, Stratford and Croydon. is redistributing economic activity but that central London will see a major initiatives key. Unless this happens,
And there has even been an increase what seems to be the overall impact decline in GVA/GDP this year. The these sectors and activities could be
in activity in some retail-dominated on London and the UK economy? West End is the worst affected area permanently damaged.
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November 2020 Your business 7
SPONSORED COLUMN
With a policy objective of getting ourselves in. Will productivity and
back to near-January 2020 levels the
policy requirements could include
employment numbers rise to previ-
ous levels? How will the creative and
Lobbying for Change
the maintenance of existing proper- leisure industries recover? And can
ty uses and public transport system the UK’s ‘soft power’ be maintained?
with eventual incentives introduced On the plus side we have the oppor-
to stimulate recovery. A major mar- tunity to plan a good recovery with is completely invisible to the
keting effort is also required when better long-term objectives and bet- public whose trust in business
the time comes – for London, the ter coordination of central and local and Parliamentarians remains
south east and the rest of the UK – government policy. And we must stubbornly low. Today, 61% of
to help us re-establish ourselves on try to ensure that the rest of the UK the public feel their views are not
the global business stage. All three understands London, its people and represented in Parliament, up
spheres of government – Whitehall, its contribution to the country as a from 57% in 2018. That mistrust
City Hall, and the Town Halls – will whole. impacts us all socially and
Rachael Clamp Chart.PR, Founder politically.
need to work on this, consistently Director, Ardesey Ltd. Chair of
and with agreed objectives. Professor Tony Travers is associate CIPR Public Affairs Group
dean of the School of Public
It is our view that the legislation
Threats and needs to go further which is why
A
Policy and co-director of LSE
opportunities London. He is co-editor of a recent
ll measures indicate that the CIPR has long been calling for a
There are both threats and oppor- book London’s Mayor at 20 from
internationally, lobbying review of the legislation. This looks
tunities in the situation we find Biteback Publishing activity and expenditure has set to happen and businesses
increased during the pandemic. would be wise to address their
Lobbyists might not have been lobbying practices now before
able to meet decision makers they are legislated to do so. Now
face-to-face but their organisations is the perfect time. The traditional
and clients have identified the ways of communicating with key
importance of maintaining a stakeholders has dramatically
presence – albeit digitally - with changed and is likely to remain
legislators as governments changed. This is matched with the
consolidate power, as the legislative public’s demand for transparency
landscape dramatically shifts and on how policy decisions are made.
- here in the UK – as the end of the In a recent poll we did a huge
Transition Period with the EU draws 78% of the public want to know
closer. more about lobbyists seeking to
influence MPs and Ministers and
Lobbying is a crucial part of 71% want to know who is meeting
democracy. It helps to produce MPs and Ministers and what they
better legislation by providing are lobbying for or against. Only
decision makers with information 17% believe the public has enough
they may well otherwise not information currently.
have access to. It is a discipline
of public relations which, over One way of addressing this is via
the last 30 years, has become far the CIPR-managed UK Lobbying
more professionalised as lobbyists Register – a voluntary and free
plan and execute strategic and register for anyone engaged in
sustained efforts to deliver professional lobbying, whether
organisational objectives. It should they are a CIPR member or not.
be a force for good and result in Signing up to the UKLR – and in
better decision making. turn the CIPR Code of Conduct -
signifies to clients and the public
It hasn’t always worked like that a commitment to ethical practice
and in 2014 the ‘Lobbying Act’ and to being transparent.
was introduced by David Cameron
after he claimed the lobbying The pandemic and Brexit give
industry “has tainted our politics us an opportunity to explore
for too long”. The Act saw the how we improve the way we do
introduction of the Office of the politics in this country. Part of that
Registrar of Consultant Lobbying responsibility rests with political
(ORCL) which requires third- leaders. A big part lies with us in
party - or consultant - lobbyists business. The benefits will be felt
to register their activity. This by all.
doesn’t go far enough. It means
a significant amount of lobbying For more information visit
activity goes unregistered and www.cipr.co.uk
8 Your business November 2020
PM challenged to
SPONSORED COLUMN
The Property Market:
Some Good News
At Last? meet five business
Michael Shapiro, Property
Partner, Silver Shemmings Ash tests for Covid-19
As a Property Lawyer specialising
primarily in commercial property,
I have moved over the last few
Some good news: Planning
laws are to be overhauled, the
Government’s aim to rejuvenate
restrictions
I
months to working from home city centres has already been n a letter to the Prime Minister
and also to becoming more of an enshrined in Law, there is a last month, British Chambers of
advisory Lawyer. Transactions are new use class, Class E, relating Commerce director general, Dr
still happening but the advisory to commercial, business and Adam Marshall, BCC president
side has increased dramatically. services, providing flexibility Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith
I have served numerous break and much less delay, it is now and chamber chief executives
notices where tenants want to possible to change use within a from across the United Kingdom
give up their lease, downsize single class and for that not to – including the LCCI’s Richard
or move into serviced offices, be considered development. Burge – set five business tests that
negotiated numerous deeds of must be met to limit the impact of
variations to leases, re-gearing,
or rent & term concessions – for
The residential property market
is having a boom, likely to be
Coronavirus restrictions on busi- ...the Job Support
nesses and jobs and take a long-
landlords & tenants. We have temporary but reflecting the term approach to tackling the Scheme will not be
rapidly moved to a dramatically
different way of working – digital,
pent-up demand that was
released following the ending
pandemic. enough to stave off
paperless and completing with of lock-down at the end of Second wave mass redundancies
scanned signatures to documents. May. House prices rose at their
fastest for four years, with 7.3%
The letter from the accredited
chamber network – which collec-
and business failures
The advice some weeks ago growth, and the SDLT holiday tively represents 75,000 firms of
was for everyone to return to continues until March. There all sizes and sectors across the UK There is also a clear warning that
their offices if they were able to. has been a dramatic increase employing nearly six million people improving the government’s ailing
Following a recent about-turn, in mortgage applications, – comes after a period of increas- test and trace system is the only
the advice is now only to come along with behavioural shifts, ing, regionally tiered restrictions, way to get a grip on the virus over
into the office if necessary. This including moving out of cities with more severe ‘circuit breaker’ the long term and prevent econom-
is not healthy for workers or and suburbs to the countryside. restrictions under consideration, as ic paralysis. The letter reads: “The
the economy. It is sad to walk the country battles a second wave of need for additional restrictions
through the City – many bars, There seems to be more the pandemic. cannot be blamed on a lack of care
cafes, restaurants and shops have confidence amongst larger Dr Marshall, Baroness McGre- by hardworking people in busi-
now closed. The positive side of commercial property companies gor-Smith and the chamber chief nesses across the country. Instead
working from home is it creates now that shorter leases are in executives challenged the Prime it represents a failure of the Test
extra time, money is saved, but place and payment is being Minister to meet five business tests and Trace system, which must be
it is not good for any of us on a made of the September quarter for current and prospective Cov- urgently improved and expanded.”
full-time basis. It’s particularly rents, albeit at a lower figure. id-19 restrictions:
important for the younger 1. Are the restrictions evidence-based Future growth
generation to have the benefit So all is not lost. There is an and targeted effectively? Chambers are clear about the
of more senior workers to learn uncertain future, and the 2. Are the restrictions clear consequences of not meeting the
from, to gain experience from and economy must be allowed to and do businesses have time to tests. The letter continues: “These
to network with. start flourishing again. As soon prepare? tests must be met – to avoid serious
as we are able, we should all 3. Is support for businesses com- damage to business and consumer
The Government’s ban on evictions start going back into our offices, mensurate with the impact on confidence, and potentially cata-
and proceedings for the recovery of especially the City, even if only them? strophic economic consequenc-
rent are to continue until the end of for a couple of days a week, to 4. Will the time that the restrictions es. We must preserve our economy
the year, but the downside is that help revive retail and hospitality are in place be used to significant- in the immediacy, while also laying
debt piles up (for both landlords sectors. ly improve the Test, Trace and Iso- the foundations of future growth.
and tenants) then landlords are late system? Failure to do so will undermine any
unable to repay loans, leaving Michael Shapiro is the Property 5. Is there a clear process for increas- broader efforts to ‘level up’ left-be-
lenders exposed, it becomes Partner at Silver Shemmings ing and decreasing restrictions? hind parts of the UK.”
a vicious circle. Many tenants Ash with over 35 years’ The letter concludes: “The Coro-
however are taking advantage experience as a commercially Business failures navirus is not going away anytime
of this legal position, sometimes focused Property Lawyer The letter reads: “While the soon. The government must waste
misusing CVAs to stay alive. working in the City of London recent announcement of an en- no more time in setting out a clear
hanced Job Support Scheme will strategy to keep the economy func-
assist some firms, Chamber mem- tioning, while protecting public
michaelshapiro@silverllp.com bers tell us it will not be enough to health over the long term.”
Tel: 0207 167 6602 stave off mass redundancies and
Mob: 07732 604 617 business failures.” www.britishchambers.org.uk
www.silverllp.com
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10 Your business November 2020
Air travel key to economic prospects
T
he importance of domestic Proportionate to passenger num-
and international travel to bers, the authors breakdown the
the economic prospects of impact of domestic aviation on
individual businesses and the wid- GDP by UK regions and nations as
er economy was highlighted last follows:
month in a report by WPI Strategy. • London: £4 billion
The report reveals the majority of • Scotland: £4 billion
UK business leaders – including LC- • North-East: £300 million
CI’s chief executive Richard Burge – • North-West: £1 billion
see air travel as key to their future • Northern Ireland: £2 billion
economic prospects and would re- • South-West: £700 million
turn to the skies if quarantine meas- • Midlands: £500 million
ures were eased. • Wales (just Cardiff): £80 million.
According to polling of business Sinclair was backed by business
leaders by Survation contained leaders and politicians from across
within the report: Up and running the UK who are concerned that the
Photo courtesy of London City Airport
• 64 per cent of all UK business Robert Sinclair, chief executive government’s plans for levelling up
leaders polled see air travel as key of London City Airport, has urged the country and increasing the UK’s
to their future prospects the new Global Travel Taskforce trade links could be at risk without a
• 88 per cent of leaders of business- to move quickly to get business air speedy introduction of testing.
es with over 250 employees be- travel up and running again.
lieve air travel is important to the Welcoming the creation of the Quarantine regime
future success of their business taskforce as a positive first step for- Stephen Hammond, MP for Wim-
• 48 per cent thought that the gov- ward, Sinclair said that he hoped the bledon and chair of the APPG on
ernment’s travel and quarantine group would “acknowledge the fun- Business Travel, said: “The economic
restrictions were the single big- damental importance of business recovery will be led by the business
Robert Sinclair
gest barrier to business air travel air travel to the economic recovery community and the ability to travel
• 76 per cent believe that airport prospects of the UK and other sec- industry and political voices, urged will be key. Business travel adds huge
testing would increase confidence tors such as hospitality and leisure.” the taskforce to move with the utmost economic value directly and indi-
when travelling. Sinclair, supported by a range of speed, setting out a clear roadmap for rectly on industries like events and
the introduction of a testing regime conferences amongst many others.
which would ultimately lead to the I hope the government will priori-
elimination of quarantine. This call is tise the need to allow safe travel in-
also supported by KLM who operate cluding pre-travel testing and a new
services from their global hub in Am- quarantine regime so business can
sterdam to 15 airports across the UK. get back to travelling and building a
Sinclair expanded: “The UK avi- strong economic recovery.”
ation industry is the third largest in
the world and a global success story. World city
But it is not just an industry itself, LCCI’s Richard Burge comment-
it also acts as an enabler of other ed: “If London is to return to being
industries such as trade, tourism, a world city then we need a thriving
FMC LOGISTICS hospitality, imports, exports and
conferences. We know the demand
aviation sector and we need effective
ways of testing for Covid-19 at our
Experts in quick & cost effective for air travel is there, but restrictive borders.
global logistics solution quarantine measures are currently
holding business leaders back from
“Of course aviation isn’t just vital
to London’s recovery alone. Wheth-
flying, and the UK economy from er it’s through travel and trade into
beginning its recovery. London and then onward in the
UK, or arrivals and departures in
Fundamental other UK cities and regions, Lon-
“We sincerely hope that the Glob- don-based aviation is intrinsic to
al Travel Taskforce both acknowl- our national and regional econo-
FMC Logistics (UK) Ltd supplies bespoke logistic services. edges how fundamental business mies, and to a great extent the econ-
Core activities are inter-modal and logistics services, travel is and moves quickly to intro- omy of much of the world.
including Air and Sea freight forwarding. duce a roadmap for aviation which “If the government are serious
sets out how a testing regime can about both ‘Global Britain’ and ‘lev-
be implemented quickly. Doing so elling up’ then they need to have
could deliver a much-needed shot immediate and genuine discussions
in the arm for business air travel, with the sector about the urgent in-
boosting economic growth across troduction of airport testing and a
every region and every sector.” targeted support package.”
New data within the report also un-
derlines the importance of domestic www.londoncityairport.com
CONTACT US aviation to the UK economy. Before See the report here: https://media.
the outbreak of the pandemic, the londoncityairport.com/business-
Phone 01708 253880 Email enquiries@fmclog.co.uk
total value of domestic aviation in the air-travel
UK was up to £15 billion.November 2020 International 11
Overseas business Germany
A research institute is working in the field of energy management
opportunities offers software tools that help to optimise energy consumption of
industrial processes or buildings by means of intelligent control. Long-
Do you want to access a selection of business co-operation offers term partnership is considered with industrial partners in terms of
made by European companies wishing to work with UK firms? Every commercial agreement with technical assistance, license agreement,
month Enterprise Europe Network publishes a Business Opportunities research cooperation or technical cooperation agreement.
in Europe Bulletin, which contains the latest co-operation offers from REF: TODE20200914001
companies across the EU and beyond.
To find out more about this issue’s listed overseas business opportunities Spain
or to subscribe to the bulletin contact Enterprise Europe Network London A company which specialises in web accessibility and usability is
at enterprise.europe@londonchamber.co.uk or 020 7248 1992. looking for licensees to expand its business. It has developed a platform
that provides web accessibility and usability, adding a layer of semantic
Slovenia information to the web to guarantee compliance of web accessibility laws
A research institute has developed an innovative method for and recommendations. It also provides tools such as website reading and
recovery of magnetic grains from bulk sintered magnets. The method navigation with voice commands or keyboard.
is easy, cost-effective, energy-efficient and environment-friendly. REF: BOES20200721001
Partners are sought amongst the magnet manufacturers and companies
that recycle magnets for technical cooperation agreements and license South Korea
agreement to scale up and apply the technology in their production. Producer of healthy and delicious fruit jam using natural
REF: TOSI20200930001 grain-derived sugar, without adding granulated sugar, preservatives,
and other food additives. It produces six kinds of fruit jams that are
Italy good to be eaten by all generations and types of customers - children,
A group of entrepreneurs has created a digital ecosystem based pregnant women, and others looking for safe food. The company is
on building information modelling, mixed reality, and artificial intelligence, seeking business partnerships under a commercial agency agreement or
to integrate in a single model the useful information in every phase of the distribution services agreement.
life cycle of a building. It reduces possible design errors, costs and time, REF: BOKR20200825001
while also obtaining product/process optimisation. The team is looking
for partnership via outsourcing or subcontracting agreements. Portugal
REF: BOIT20200615002 Specialist company in underwater imaging, using the most
advanced underwater visualization technology, is looking for partners
Poland to invest and to open new markets through a financial agreement. The
A north-eastern enterprise is a distributor and importer of company is also looking for partners who want to access the technology
healthy food, coffee, cleaning products, and other fast-moving to transfer and test military equipment for civilian applications by
consumer goods. It is looking for new, original, and unique products that establishing a commercial agreement with technical assistance.
could be introduced into the Polish market. The company is interested in REF: TOPT20201002001
cooperating under a distribution services or commercial agency agreement.
REF: BRPL20200916001
CHELSEA
CENTRE
PART OF
MORLEY COLLEGE LONDON
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Export documents and EU exit –
update for CO and ATA Carnet users
A
t the time of writing, al- ment to change in the Brexit context
though negotiations have whether there is a deal or not. How-
resumed, there is still a pos- ever, some Arab League states are
sibility of a no deal EU exit outcome party to certain EU free trade agree-
and an automatic move to World ments e.g. Algeria, Egypt, Jordan,
Trade Organisation rules for the Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia.
purposes of cross-border move- n www.londonchamber.co.uk/
ments and trade facilitation. export-documents/eur1-move-
With regard to Certificates of ment-certificate
Origin (CO) and ATA Carnets, the
following should be noted. ATA Carnets
In a no trade deal situation it is
Certificates of Origin agreed that ATA Carnets – the pass-
In a no deal scenario a UK CO port for goods being temporarily
(non-preferential) has been de- moved cross border for the purpose
signed in accordance with the rele- of being shown at trade fairs or ex-
vant international convention and hibitions, or for professional equip-
STOP PRESS
has been approved by government ment and samples – will be able to
lawyers. This will be issued for ship- be used for appropriate temporary
ments after 1 January 2021. shipments to the EU 27 as the UK
Non-preferential CO are general- Time is running out has signed the relevant internation-
ly called for as part of the payment al conventions both as the UK and
HM Government’s message for Europe start on 1 Jan 2021.
mechanism e.g. via a documentary en bloc through the EU. LCCI have
business as EU-UK trade talks There are actions you need to
letter of credit or for trade defence made the necessary changes to the
hung in the balance. take now’.
reasons, or because the importer is document for this scenario and will
anticipating re-exporting the goods. ‘New rules for business with www.gov.uk/transition make the revised Carnets available
If there is a UK-EU trade deal and in advance of the end of transition.
it includes preferential tariff rates trade agreements will remain the Turkey. This agreement has not Even in a trade deal scenario it is
for certain goods provided origin appropriate document in a no deal been rolled over – though a new likely that ATA Carnets will be an
rules are met, there will be a need scenario only where the agreements one may be negotiated in the fu- appropriate document for tempo-
to demonstrate that the rules have have been rolled over and, in some ture – and so will not be appropriate rary imports and exports between
been complied with. This could be cases, will be dependent on a UK- whether there is a UK-EU trade deal the UK and the EU 27.
in the form of a preferential CO or EU deal having been concluded. or not. However the Turkish buyer We await further intelligence
via a registered exporter scheme or The situation is fluid so for the may call for a non-preferential CO. both on the situation where Carnet
similar – this is not yet known but latest on this go to: n www.londonchamber.co.uk/ goods leave the UK for the EU be-
information will be provided as n www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-trade- export-documents/eur1-move- fore the end of the transition peri-
soon as it is. agreements-with-non-eu-countries ment-certificate od and return after 1/1/21 and for
n www.londonchamber.co.uk/cofo If there is no roll over or re-ne- goods being temporarily shipped to
gotiated agreement, then the EUR Arab League Northern Ireland.
EUR and A.TR document would not be appropriate Note that non-preferential CO Refer to ‘Other useful links’ on
The Movement Certificate EUR though the buyer might call for a for exports to Arab League coun- page 13 for the current situation.
(in effect a preferential CO) which is non-preferential CO. tries will be unaffected and there is n www.londonchamber.co.uk/ex-
issued to evidence origin in EU free The A.TR relates to trade with no need for the format of the docu- port-documents/ata-carnetNovember 2020 13
SPONSORED COLUMN
5 tips to improve
your cashflow
EU Exit Hub LCCI during COVID-19
By Matthew Green
Information and advice on staff employment, business travel, Partner at Lubbock Fine
exporting, importing, international trade paperwork, costs,
logistics, data protection, e-commerce, accounting and auditing,
Keeping the cash flowing If you do seek support via a
public procurement, intellectual property and taxation. Plus
webinars to join to help companies navigate EU exit.
is critical for any business Government-backed scheme (like
to survive. The pandemic Bounce Back loans or the Future
www.londonchamber.co.uk/eu-exit-hub continues to highlight the Fund), we recommend speaking
importance of effective to your existing bank in the first
with an ATA Carnet through the cashflow planning, as many instance, as the process is likely to
Other useful links Port of Holyhead if the UK leaves
businesses feel the pressure be much quicker. If needed, your
Brexit notification for ATA Carnet the EU without a deal
customers n www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-
from both a reduction in advisor can also provide guidance
n www.londonchamber.co.uk/LCCI/ goods-through-the-port-of-holyhead- income and additional new with the application process.
media/media/Carnet-Notice-to- with-an-ata-carnet expenses (such as health and
safety costs). 4. Expand your funding
Traders-October.pdf Guidance on exporting goods to
EU after Brexit options
With lockdown measures
Information on how to move goods n www.gov.uk/prepare-export-from- expected to continue throughout If your bank is unable to assist or
through Port of Dover and Euro- uk-after-brexit you wish to review other options,
winter, now is an ideal time to take
tunnel with an ATA Carnet if the there are other organisations
action to improve your cashflow.
UK leaves the EU without a deal For further information on export outside of the high street banks
n www.gov.uk/guidance/moving- documents issued by LCCI
Here are 5 tips to consider when
planning your next steps. who can offer support to your
goods-through-the-port-of-dover- contact Davor McKinley
business.
and-eurotunnel-with-an-ata-carnet dmckinley@londonchamber.co.uk
Information on how to move goods 1. Check in with your At Lubbock Fine, we work with
accountant funding platform Capitalise, which
Speaking to a qualified offers access to 100 lenders in
Customs declarations – important notice professional who understands
the challenges you are facing can
one digital marketplace.* We can
assist you with navigating the
provide a fresh perspective or new application process.
From 1 January 2021 the UK will agents – headed by Suvjeet Sibia is
ideas. Your accountant can help to
no longer be in the EU single mar- now in place. We will shortly be in 5. Plan for your business’s
thoroughly review your cashflow
ket or customs union. This means touch with the Chamber’s import future recovery
that goods moving between the and export community to help en- forecast, evaluate your options
UK and EU – both imports and sure that everyone is ready for this strategically and identify potential While the pandemic is far from
exports – will be treated differ- significant change – the number changes to ease the pressure. over, it is still important to plan
ently from now. Customs dec- of declarations needed in a typical for recovery. You should regularly
larations will need to be year will rise from 50 mil- 2. Seek Government support update your cashflow forecasts
completed, with immediate lion to over 250 million so Financial support is still available to account for potential additional
effect, for every UK export many companies are bound to help your business through costs, contingency cash, safety
from the beginning of the to be affected. the pandemic and prepare for measures and economic
year. We will therefore be in- recovery. These include the new predictions.
The requirement for in- viting companies to com-
Job Support Scheme (JSS) and
dividual customs declara- plete a survey to assess what How can we help?
their needs will be in accessing the the extended Self-Employment
tions for imports from the EU has
been deferred for six months i.e. service with questions relating to: Income Support Scheme (SEISS). If you would like to discuss any
until 1 July 2021 though traders • EORI status (economic operators cashflow assistance matters,
will need to keep specific records registration and identification) 3. Speak to your bank please contact Matthew
to then complete a summary • Current involvement in import/ The Bank of England has been Green (matthewgreen@
declaration. Duty and VAT as ap- export working with banks to reduce lubbockfine.co.uk)
propriate will also need to be ac- • Goods dealt in; nature and num- interest rates for businesses
counted for. ber of consignments *Capitalise.com Platform Ltd, trading as
and lending, expanding capital
LCCI has joined with Cham- • Deferment account held Capitalise, is authorised and regulated
repayments timeframes and by the Financial Conduct Authority for
berCustoms to provide a Cus- • Ports used – though note that this
changing the terms of existing regulated credit agreements. Capitalise is
toms Declaration service to help service covers every UK port for
overdrafts. a credit broker not a lender.
exporters and importers to com- both import and export
ply with this new requirement for • Existing or future need for Cus-
trading with the EU, and indeed toms Declarations. Lubbock Fine
with the rest of the world where Paternoster House
such declarations will continue to Contact ssibia@ 65 St Paul’s Churchyard
be needed, just as they are now. londonchamber.co.uk for London EC4M 8AB
Our new unit of Customs Dec- further information t +44(0)20 7490 7766
laration specialists – Customs www.lubbockfine.co.uk14 International November 2020
Yintong talks with...
Paul Finch OBE, creator and programme director of World Architecture Festival
H
ailed as the Oscars of the digital format, I wondered how they
architectural industry, the would fare in these challenging cir-
World Architecture Festival cumstances? “Obviously Covid is
(WAF) is one of the largest and most tremendously damaging to a lot of
prestigious international architec- businesses; it will no doubt change
tural awards ceremonies. Taking our way of life and challenge our
advantage of the quieter Covid business,” Paul shares, “But I am not
period, I sought out and spoke to pessimistic about the future and feel
Paul Finch, the festival’s creator and that, at the same time, it will open
programme director, in advance of up new revenues for business. Be-
WAF China and WAF Virtual due to fore Covid, all businesses did some
take place later this year. online activity but from now on, vir-
tual activities such as live streaming
Scale and webinars will be compulsory for
I first came cross Paul and WAF in all businesses.
2017 when my photography business
was a sponsor at the Festival’s Archi- Connectivity
tectural Photography Awards. I was “Subsequently, knowledge-shar-
given the chance to be on the same ing will become more democratic,
stage as the architecture giant Nor- despite the geographical differences
man Foster, who won a ‘legend’ prize. and time zones; it will strengthen
I was impressed with the scale of the festival, the entries from the China ways between China and the rest connectivity and push globalisation
event – thousands of people from all region were patchy in quality and of the world,” Paul says. “From one even further. For our business in the
over the world, many from China – low in number,” he explains. “But of the studies I learnt that between meantime, because of its far-reach-
and was eager to learn more about over the last three or four years we 2015 and 2035, there will be 80 bil- ing nature, our sponsorship gener-
him and his new Chinese venture. have seen a significant shift. For ex- lion square metres of new buildings ation hasn’t been hindered; in fact,
Paul Finch started his profes- ample, out of our 1,100 entrants last to be built globally, of which, 38 per more sponsors have come forward.
sional life as a journalist in the early year, 40 per cent were from China cent will be built in China. Chinese In 2021, we aim to hold a physi-
1970s, eventually becoming editor and I believe the trend is still on the architecture’s influence on the world cal event, and definitely with a live
of the renowned Architectural Re- up.” Stats back this up. The Chinese will be immense, both as a laborato- stream attached. The main purpose
view (AR), founded in 1896, and construction market has grown sub- ry for architectural experimentation of all these events is to connect
with whom he launched the first stantially in the last 30 years. It is and as an incubator for growing ex- people, so whatever the channel or
WAF in 2008.“I often wondered why as big as the rest of the world com- pertise.” platform this is still the end game,”
there was no annual global event bined. “In the next 20 to 30 years, I After two years of negotiation, he says.
specifically for architects, where can see business opportunities both a five-year licence has been estab-
they could gather to compare and lished to create WAF China which Life-enhancing
discuss their work,” he told me. “The Chinese was officially launched in 2019 with I ask if Paul is still enjoying his
Emap, media company owner of a conference in Chengdu. “So far, festival experience after all these
AT, bought into the concept and, construction market we have been very impressed by years. “In overall terms, I think we
after a rocky start impacted by the
financial crisis, annual WAFs have
has grown their commitment and compliance
to our guidance,” says Finch. “That
have largely stayed true to the spir-
it of what we envisaged the festival
taken place in Singapore, Berlin substantially in the integral event paved the way for and its awards might be. Our team
and Amsterdam since the inaugural this year’s first WAF China with the has certainly enjoyed every festival
event in Barcelona in 2008. But for last 30 years. It is as theme ‘Green City’. and I like to think that those at-
the pandemic, this year’s gathering big as the rest of the tending the event have a chance to
would have taken place in Lisbon. Challenging remind themselves about why they
The initial aim was to open the world combined.” With WAF events changing into a wanted to become architects in the
awards to everyone and anyone first place. It is a life-enhancing ex-
could attend. Profitability is, essen- perience, to build a constructive fu-
tial to proceed but the motives of ture with team spirit. That can be no
those most directly involved were bad thing,” he concludes.
as much about the promotion of
high-quality architecture and the www.worldarchitecturefestival.
culture of the profession in an in- com
creasingly globalised world as they
were about money. Yintong Betser is managing
director of ACTIVE Anglo Chinese
Significant shift Communications (activeukchina.
I understand that the WAF is about com) connecting business cross
the world’s architects coming to- culture with PR events, including
gether, but why has Paul started a the recently-launched The Global
new venture, with the sole focus on SinoPhoto Awards
China? “At the beginning of our www.sinophoto-awards.comInternational November 2020 15
London-Budapest bridge
Inspiring trust for a more resilient word
The first UK-Central Europe
Business Summit ™ took place Networking
last month with a series of An online platform enabled
online and physical events in networking opportunities across
the respective capitals of the borders between some 200 UK
UK and Hungary. and Central European SMEs and
corporates, the latter including
The summit featured addresses Mastercard, Tesco, Shell,
from from HE Ferenc Kumin, Microsoft, Harley-Davidson,
Hungary’s Ambassador to the Oracle, and BMW.
UK and Richard Burge, LCCI
chief executive. The event closed with the book
launch – Purposeful Discussions
With a focus on innovation, by Geoff Hudson-Searle
technology and investment, which provides insights into
the event included sessons communications, strategy and
on investment incentives, business development.
sustainable fashion (including a
fashion show), a reception on the www.h.net.co.uk
Danube, and online networking.
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Request a demo16 International November 2020
Free and fair trade
L
Image: Chris McAndrew (CC BY-SA 3.0)
ast month International Trade • The role of trade in levelling-up global trading system
Secretary Liz Truss convened Britain • Commonwealth trade
the first meeting of the re- • Combatting digital and data pro- • How trade can help deliver the
vamped Board of Trade. The board tectionism government’s green objectives.
will advise the government and • How trade can deliver an indus- • The reports will be published
Department of International Trade trial revival quarterly from 2021 on key trade
(DIT) on its trade strategy, provide • Reform of the WTO and the issues and interests for the UK.
intellectual leadership on trade pol-
Who’s on board
icy, and help Britain make the case
for free and fair trade across the
world.
The board met to agree and dis- Members, known as ‘advisers’ • The Hon Tony Abbott
cuss the principles underpinning are: • Karen Betts
its work – which include a commit- • Secretary of State for • Anne Boden MBE
ment to free enterprise, the rule of Scotland • Daniel Hannan
law and high-standards trade – and • Secretary of State for • Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt
agree its future programme of activ- Northern Ireland • Emma Howard Boyd
ity. • Secretary of State for Wales • Michael Liebreich Build back better
It will produce a series of reports • Minister for Trade Policy • Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Domestically, the board will ad-
looking at the vital issues facing in- • Minister for Investment the City of London, William vise how trade policy can help de-
ternational trade and Britain at the • Minister for Exports Russell
liver on the government’s commit-
• Minister for International Trade • Dr Linda Yueh.
moment. These will include: ment to level-up the country and
Trade prospects in a post-
pandemic Arabian Gulf
Image: Persian.vahid (CC BY-SA 3.0)
For some companies, business is expected rise by 20 per cent in Q3.
booming – which is in contrast to
by Lee Jennings the media focus on bad news sto- Opportunities
A
ries. The Bank of England econo- Whatever the outcome of the
s the world continues to mist Andy Haldane recently stated UK-EU trade talks, UK exporters
battle against Covid-19 and that “Good news on the UK’s econ- should now be preparing to explore Companies in the Arabian Gulf
many regions and certain omy is being crowded out by fears new opportunities in new markets. have also been affected and are tak-
countries emerge from lockdown it about the future”. The economy has The world has changed in 2020 and, ing the opportunity to transform
is time for companies to consider already recovered just under 90 per whether we like it or not, we need to outmoded methods of conducting
the post-pandemic normal’. cent of its earlier losses and GDP is change with it. business, introduce new technolo-
gies to increase output, reduce over-
heads and improve standards. It is
reassuring to see a number of major
projects, that were put on hold ear-
lier in 2020, now being given the
green light on a regular basis.
Commitment
For example, Dubai’s DP World
and Caisse de dépôt et placement du
Québec (CDPQ), a global institu-
tional investor, recently announced
the expansion of their ports and
terminals investment through a new
commitment of $4.5 billion.
The appetite for new technology
continues throughout the region,
with a British entrepreneur plan-
ning to bring robotics to the Gulf ’s
oil refineries, which will save com-
panies billions of dollars in routineYou can also read
