Your morning coffee briefing from TFG. COVID-19 vaccine transporter Reftrade secures major export win, lockdown-easing helps SMEs recover despite rising insolvencies, emerging economies cannot afford ‘taper tantrum’ repeat, says IMF’s Gopinath, business confidence in UK at four-year high but staff shortages a concern and UK launches £450m fund for energy network innovation.
COVID-19 vaccine transporter Reftrade secures major export win
Aberdeen-based Reftrade is the first business in Scotland to secure new UK government backing from UK Export Finance. The government backing will enable the business to triple its headcount and expand its business to fulfil £1 million of export orders. Read more →
Lockdown-easing helps SMEs recover despite rising insolvencies
SMEs across the UK are fighting back after Covid-19 lockdowns, according to the latest Business Distress Index which looks at how the economy fared in Q2 this year. Read more →
Emerging economies cannot afford ‘taper tantrum’ repeat, says IMF’s Gopinath
Emerging markets cannot “afford” a repeat of the 2013 “taper tantrum” market disruption that occurred when the US Federal Reserve signalled a sooner-than-expected withdrawal of stimulus, sparking a surge in global borrowing costs, the IMF’s chief economist has warned. Read more →
Trade Envoys set to promote UK trade and drive economic growth
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed ten Trade Envoys who will boost British business in dynamic markets such as Australia, Brazil and Canada. These Trade Envoys are set to promote UK trade, drive economic growth, and encourage inward investment to help level up every part of the UK. Read more →
Business confidence in UK at four-year high but staff shortages a concern
UK business confidence has hit a four-year high, thanks to growing optimism about the post-Covid recovery, but companies highlighted concerns about staff shortages, which could push up pay in the coming months. Read more →
UK launches £450m fund for energy network innovation
The UK has opened applications for a £450 million innovation fund aimed at accelerating efforts to decarbonise energy networks, as the country gears up to host the UN’s COP26 climate summit later this year. Read more →
Supply chain disruption threatens to hold back UK economic recovery
UK companies see no immediate let-up in the supply chain disruption that has worsened steadily since the start of the year. The semiconductor crunch, combined with soaring shipping costs and raw material prices, has left manufacturers around the world struggling to meet resurgent demand. Read more →
