Welcome to Friday Brief on the 28th November 2014 – which is a little bruised from battling for best e-marketing bargains on Black Friday…
The build-up to MACH 2016 really kicked off this week, with over 17,000 square metres of exhibition space already allocated – that’s 15% up on the equivalent period before the last exhibition - and the announcement that Siemens Offshore have committed to the event, the third OEM (after Airbus and Messier Dowty) to do so. The MACH 2016 Bulletin has also been launched, so be sure to sign-up to receive all the latest info on what is already looking like the best MACH for years.
Today’s BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL DEAL is one free ticket to the MTA’s Annual Dinner and Manufacturing Awards Ceremony (12th March 2015) for member’s who book a table (8 or more people). This early bird offer ends today, so be sure to sign up quick.
We have news that UKTI are organising a Mega Mission to Central Eastern Europe in 2015. The trade delegation of UK companies will be led to Romania and Bulgaria by Business Ambassador the Rt Hon. Brian Wilson. This is your opportunity to find out more and to meet potential business partners in both countries. Don’t miss your chance to explore the potential that exists in this exciting region. In addition, there is also a webinar by UKTI Warsaw on opportunities in the Automotive Sector in CEE on Thursday 4th December at 2pm.
There is a business opportunity from Russia this week too - Software development company "DATADVANCE" based in Moscow with office in Toulouse (France) is seeking potential partners or dealers in United Kingdom, interested in either implementation or distribution of their product.
In economic news this week it is worth drawing attention to the generally positive news in the Business Investment data for the 3rd quarter which is up on where it was at this point last year, with spending on machinery and ICT equipment especially strong (+13%). The CBI Trends survey is also pointing to continuing expansion of the manufacturing sector, although admittedly at a slower pace than we saw earlier in the year. The investment survey from the European Commission is showing a downgrade of expectations for this year, but again the outlook is still positive. This is a recurring theme in a number of data series at the moment - slower but still positive trends - and it is important to look beyond some of the headlines which seem to equate slower growth with the end of the world as we know it!
Enjoy the weekend bargain hunting, and don’t forget there are only 26 days until Christmas!