EUROFILE TRADE NEWS AND ADVICE
Improvements are paying off T
BY PHIL PARKIN
he European Ombudsman has reported that efforts by the European Union to improve administrative practices
throughout its territory are paying dividends. The Ombudsman, Nikiforos Diamandouros
(pictured) said that not only had a code of behaviour encouraged a number of countries to improve the quality of their administrations, it had helped place the citizen at the heart of their working practices. He said: “When the ‘European Code of Good
Administrative Behaviour’ was endorsed by the European Parliament in September 2001, few could have imagined the impact that it would have not only on the EU institutions and the citizens that they serve, but also on national and regional administrations throughout Europe and beyond. “Since taking up the post of European
Ombudsman in April 2003, I have seen a progressive shift in focus by the EU institutions and their staff towards placing the citizen firmly at the centre of their activities. This is reflected not only in the institutions’ increasingly positive responses to my recommendations in individual cases, but also in their willingness proactively to identify shortcomings and to find ways of resolving potential problems before they occur.” He added that the Code helped citizens to
know what administrative standards they were entitled to expect from the EU institutions. It also served as a useful guide for civil servants in their relations with the public. By making the principle of good administration more concrete, the Code helps to encourage the highest standards of administration. Craig Biffen, from Europe Direct
Birmingham, said: “This has been a vital code for the citizens of Europe since its inception in 2001 and helps us as citizens understand what our rights are and what administrative standards we can expect.”
Euro star: European Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamandouros Barclays is backing UKTI
Barclays is backing the Government’s export drive in a major initiative with UK Trade & Investment to help 15,000 UK businesses broaden their horizons over the next five years. The two organisations have agreed key priorities and targets related to UK trade and
investment and will work in tandem across seven key areas. John Winter, CEO of Barclays Corporate banking said: “Supporting UK enterprise and
helping businesses of all sizes to expand and grow is something we are passionate about. We provide expert help to UK businesses in accessing new markets, expanding overseas, and achieving their growth objectives around the globe. “Providing our clients with the tools, guidance and finance to encourage and stimulate their
exporting ambitions in turn supports the wider UK economy.” Lord Maude of Horsham, Minister for Trade & Investment, said: “Government and private
sector co-operation is at the heart of our approach to increasing UK exports. Working together we can create a more vibrant export support marketplace to help small and medium sized businesses to flourish and grow.” Catherine Raines, chief executive of UK Trade & Investment, said: “I am delighted we will be
working together with Barclays, which will lead to 15,000 more companies working abroad in 2020. Pooling our professional advice will increase the amount of support for exporters.”
Midlands gamers develop in California
A virtual reality gaming company from the Midlands is heading to the USA to attend its first Games Development Conference in San Francisco next month. Viewpoint Games, which is based in
Leamington Spa, specialises in developing games for Virtual Reality headsets and released its first game, VR Karts, at the end of 2015. Thanks to help and support from UK Trade
and Investment (UKTI) West Midlands, Viewpoint Games is attending GDC, this is the world’s largest gaming industry conference that attracts more than 26,000 delegates from across the world, in March 2016. Formed in 2014 by Neil Campbell and Neil Wigfield, Viewpoint Games spent two years
developing its virtual reality game, which is now available on Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard and will be available for the consumer launch of the Oculus Rift at the end of March. The pair, who each have more than 16 years’
experience in the computer games industry, hope that by attending the five-day conference they can introduce VR Karts to more industry experts and to make contacts that will enable the company to develop further titles. Neil Campbell said: “We’re very excited to
be going to our first GDC because it will help us to connect with more people in the industry and establish relationships with platform holders, publishers and investors. Support from organisations such as UKTI is invaluable.
“We believe our first game, VR Karts, is a
standout title for Virtual Reality and we aim to build on its success to establish Viewpoint Games as a producer of high quality content for the foreseeable future.” Viewpoint Games received a small grant
from Creative England and a start-up loan from Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust to help it with the development of the game, while UKTI has supported the company through its Passport to Export programme, which helps new and inexperienced exporters to grow their businesses overseas.
To find out more, visit
www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk
CONTACT: Sunny Claire T:0121 607 1800
MARCH 2016 CHAMBERLINK 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60