International business expansion guidance and advice
Trade Horizons’ Market Entry Blog
Our market entry blog covers a range of topics relating to international business expansion. Articles tackle many different subjects, including the initial planning and preparation stages of growing your business, advances in technology you can take advantage of, through to sales & marketing, packaging and branding advice. Written by leading experts in their field, you’ll be sure to find something of interest and real-world practical advice if you are looking to grow your business around the world.
Latest Articles
Oct #1 Update: French employment rules, US electric vehicles, FDI North England, India FDI, Truss and net zero
Currently French law says that French employers must reimburse employees for 50% of the cost of travel between their residence & place of work. Apparently since COVID 30% of HR Directors have received requests from employees to move further from their place of work. A decision in July reinstated the rule that no matter the place of residence, 50% of travel costs must be reimbursed.
#4 September Update: UAE-South Korea trade, Vietnam transition, India-UK FTA, EU_Australia trade, Canada-EU trade, India investor protection, Sub-Sarahan African debt, South Africa MFN clause
Non-oil bilateral trade between UAE and South Korea has grown 19% in the first quarter of 2022 to $1.3 billion. The UAE is the only country in the Middle East which has a special strategic partnership with South Korea. South Korea invests $2 billion in the UAE and UAE invests $637 million in South Korea. The UAE has 100 double taxation treaties and 67 bilateral investment treaties and 40 freezones with benefits such as tax incentives and exemptions, 100 per cent business ownership without the need of a national agent and long-term visas.
#3 September Update: Lithium demand, ESG in Asia, Crypto tax, Fortress China, Cyprus FDI regs, Vietnam FDI
China currently processes 90% of the world’s rare earths and 60% of lithium. Lithium is a crucial component in electric car battery manufacturing. Europe is implementing the European Critical Raw Materials Act to avoid falling into the oil & gas trap where it is completely dependent on other countries for its energy. But at the same time has decided to deem three lithium salts as “known human reproductive toxicants,” which makes things even more complicated. China dominates global lithium processing and therefore supply. Prices have risen 50-90% in the past year. Europe has decided to take action to diversify the supply chain away from China to avoid future reliance.
E-Mobility: Germany Delegation to Visit UK
Trade Horizons is hosting a business delegation of German e-mobility SMEs to the West Midlands. The delegation will meet with British industry to develop relationships between UK companies, expand existing market activities and learn more about the British e-vehicle ecosystem.
#2 September Update: UK Australia FTA, Ireland’s top 10 foreign investors, Cuba opens, Portugal Golden Visa Changes, Detroit motor revamp
The UK has signed a free trade deal with Australia since leaving the European Union. It was the first free trade deal to be signed. It is expected to increase trade with Australia by 53% boosting the economy by £2.3 billion. Australian exports already support more than 100,000 UK jobs and demand is expected to grow by 30% over the next decade. UK food and drink exports to Australia will be tariff free. Biscuits, whisky, gin and cheese are expected to grow in demand due to high quality UK produce. Australia is already the 8th largest market for UK whisky exports.
#1 September Update: UK blocks licensing transaction, Food FDI down, Roundtripping in India regs, Brazil FDI up, US vs UK Employment, Certification internationalisation, Innovate Alabama
The UK’s National Security and Investment (NSI) Act came into force in January of this year and has since blocked FDI not only to do with transactions but licensing, as in the case of a robotics technology developed by Manchester University and attempted licensing by Beijing Infinite Vision Technology. Business minister Kwasi Karteng issued a final order on the attempt by the Chinese company to license the sensing technology called SCAMP 5 and SCAMP 7 citing security risks. This was the first case of a blocking and did not apply to a transaction but licensing so the legislation has further reaching scope than one might think at first sight. It blocked the licensing stating that the technology could be used in defence applications although the Beijing company said it was to be used for children’s toys.
