Category Archives: International News

International News, Investor Advice

Bitcoin Trading System Impacts on the Businesses of Angola

The emergence of Bitcoin trading systems has influenced many businesses in Angola in various ways. For starters, the technology has brought about new opportunities for entrepreneurs seeking to venture into the world of digital currency trading. A significant number of businesses have started accepting Bitcoin as a mode of payment, providing customers with greater flexibility and convenience when transacting. Visit and Immediate Connect for further information.

Bitcoin trading systems have also made cross-border payments easier, faster, and less costly for Angolan businesses operating globally. Previously, businesses had to deal with cumbersome banking procedures and significant fees when sending payments abroad. However, with the adoption of Bitcoin, businesses can now send payments anywhere in the world within minutes, with much lower transaction fees compared to traditional banking methods.

Besides, Bitcoin trading systems have improved the security of financial transactions for businesses in Angola. In recent years, the country has experienced high rates of cybercrime, with many businesses falling victim to hacking and fraud. Bitcoin’s blockchain technology has introduced a new level of security to financial transactions, making it difficult for cybercriminals to tamper with the transaction records.

Another significant impact of Bitcoin trading systems on businesses in Angola is the potential to leverage blockchain technology for supply chain management. Given Angola’s rich natural resources, the country could benefit significantly from enhanced supply chain transparency, which is made possible through blockchain technology. Businesses could track their products from origin to the final consumer, ensuring quality control and reducing the risk of counterfeit products entering the market.

Despite these benefits, Bitcoin trading systems come with some risks that businesses in Angola need to be aware of. The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile and subject to fluctuations, making it a risky investment. Additionally, the lack of regulation in the cryptocurrency market makes it susceptible to fraudulent activities, and businesses should be vigilant when trading in Bitcoin.

In conclusion, Bitcoin trading systems have brought about significant changes in the business landscape in Angola. The technology has introduced new opportunities for entrepreneurs and improved efficiencies in cross-border payments, financial security, and supply chain management. However, businesses need to be aware of the risks involved and exercise caution when trading in cryptocurrencies..

Benefits of Bitcoin Trading in Forex:

Bitcoin trading has become increasingly popular in the forex market, with more brokers and traders adopting it as a mode of investment. There are several benefits of using bitcoin for forex trading, which has made it a game-changer for businesses across different industries.

One of the main advantages of bitcoin trading in forex is its decentralized nature, which eliminates the need for intermediaries such as banks and financial institutions. This means that traders can carry out transactions directly and securely, without any third-party involvement. As a result, transactions are faster, cheaper, and more reliable, making it an attractive option for businesses that want to reduce their transaction costs.

Another benefit of bitcoin trading in forex is its high liquidity. Bitcoin trades 24/7 in various markets across the globe, making it one of the most liquid assets in the world. This allows traders to easily buy and sell bitcoin at any time, which is crucial in the fast-paced forex industry. Furthermore, this high liquidity also means that large trades can be executed with ease, making it an ideal asset for businesses that want to carry out large transactions quickly and efficiently.

Bitcoin trading also provides businesses with greater transparency, as all transactions are stored on a public ledger known as the blockchain. This means that businesses can track their transactions in real-time, and have greater control over their finances. Furthermore, the blockchain also provides greater security, as all transactions are encrypted and cannot be altered or reversed, providing a level of trust that is essential for businesses that want to carry out secure transactions.

Final Words:

In conclusion, Bitcoin trading systems have had a huge impact on the businesses of today. They provide improved security and transparency while also allowing companies to save money by removing middlemen from transactions. Additionally, these systems can be used as an innovative way for businesses to earn passive income through automated trading strategies. As with any new technology, it is important to understand the potential risks associated with blockchain-based payment systems before investing in them. However, when implemented correctly and responsibly, Bitcoin trading system technologies offer great promise for business owners looking for ways to streamline their operations and increase profitability.

International News, News, Retail, Retail & E-commerce

Proposed Border Strategy: “Everything is last minute, and poorly thought through,” warns Jenney

The Chief Executive of the UK’s Fresh Produce Consortium, Nigel Jenney, spoke frankly to the House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee last Thursday (6 July) urging them to heed the consortium’s warnings concerning the proposed border strategy.

Referencing the governments TOM (Target Operating Model) Jenney remarked: “Well, they’ve missed the first target, because the target was to actually respond to the industry with guidance by the end of last month. This hasn’t materialised and won’t materialise for weeks, which puts huge pressure on the industry in terms of being able to prepare for the hard delivery dates that the government is currently suggesting.

“We are operating in a sector which grows and distributes highly perishable, highly sensitive products as quickly and efficiently as possible ,” he continued. “So frankly, from my industry’s point of view, we believe the current proposed strategy will fundamentally compromise our industry’s least cost, highly efficient supply chain from Europe, without a doubt.

“We don’t manufacture widgets, we don’t keep them in a UK warehouse for six months, hoping someone’s going to buy them. Our produce is literally harvested, packed, and delivered within hours, not days.

“As such, the TOM provides some huge challenges for our sector in terms of compromising that just -in -time least cost to maintain both the quality of the products, but also the cost of the products,” Jenney explained.

“We are extremely concerned that the current proposed government border strategy which adopts government managed border control points (BCPs) , are frankly highly inefficient.

“We believe the current proposed strategy will fundamentally compromise our industry’s least cost highly efficient supply chain from Europe which will have considerable and wide ranging impacts.

We will proactively, and we have for years now, offered solutions to the current BCP model, including adoption of control points. They are facilities which are managed by our industry, or our commercial partners.

“A Government managed BCP adds, brutally, no value for my industry,” he continued.

“One of the things that we proposed several years ago but which didn’t happen at that time, is that we offered government the opportunity to use our industries facilities to carry out these inspections. This wasn’t an option that was considered appropriate at that time.

“We also suggested it would be wise to allow responsible businesses within the industry to be trained and accredited to complete official inspections. Because do you want a few hundred official inspectors managing your border security, or do you want thousands of people managing your border security?

“And the best part is that you wouldn’t have to pay them because the industry pays for those people. It’s incredibly disheartening that this system will not be available, assuming the 31st of January date is the go live date.

“Our industry will be forced to either use BCPs or control points but still wait for an official inspection by an official officer. Which is so frustrating, because we’ve had years to manage and plan the processes, yet everything is last minute, and it appears to be poorly thought through.

“The industry, ultimately, is going to have to pick up the pieces and I’ll remind you all again today that, with the costs  we envisage the industry having to incur, I have to sadly say that we simply cannot absorb those costs. They will instead be passed on to hard pressed consumers in a very difficult environment at this moment in time.

“We have no choice. Our margins just simply do not allow us to do anything else.”

The House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee plans to release its report by the conclusion of this year to summarize their findings and recommendations.

International News, News, Tech

Colt announces strategic expansion to US infrastructure

NJFX data centre and new subsea Cable Landing Station expand Colt’s transatlantic capabilities and offer businesses greater choice and flexibility 

Colt Technology Services, the digital infrastructure company, today announced the expansion of its US capabilities with the connection of a new data centre and subsea Cable Landing Station (CLS), NJFX, in New Jersey, US to its Colt IQ Network. This latest extension is part of Colt’s continued investment into its North American infrastructure. The new transatlantic route – now fully open – gives businesses greater choice, security and flexibility as they seamlessly connect economic and commercial hubs in Europe and the US across Colt’s award-winning digital infrastructure.

The expansion complements Colt’s existing US network capabilities, particularly extending its New York data centre metro ring to NJFX, offering new Atlantic subsea route options. Colt can deliver on-net services to tenants at NJFX with immediate effect. A new high-capacity, resilient backbone over Aquacomm’s Havfrue / AEC-2 cable from NJFX to Stellium Datacentres in Newcastle is a critical part of the expansion. Exiting in New Jersey rather than New York provides Colt’s customers with a greatly diversified route, crossing the Atlantic to access thousands of connected end points in Europe over the Colt IQ Network.  Colt will also have ability to manage 100Gb services to Havfrue / AEC-2 landings in Ireland and Denmark as well as the UK, and access further subsea systems exiting NJFX to Europe and Brazil.

Colt’s deployment  makes it one of just a few non-US carriers with a direct presence in NJFX, and with key New York-located data centres on-net with access over the Colt IQ Network to NJFX.  The strategic move offers organisations such as capital markets firms and enterprises access to Colt’s wider portfolio of digital services and solutions, supporting their global digital transformation  journeys and helping them accelerate plans for growth.

Gil Santaliz, CEO & Founder of NJFX said, “With Colt’s robust infrastructure and extensive reach, our customers can unlock unprecedented opportunities to expand their digital footprint and achieve diverse objectives. Together, NJFX and Colt are revolutionising the way organisations connect and thrive in the digital age, empowering them to stay ahead of the curve and embrace the limitless potential of the global marketplace.”

Keri Gilder, CEO, Colt Technology Services said, “On both sides of the Atlantic and across the world, businesses must balance constant threats to security with the need to accelerate digital transformation at pace. It’s why there’s never been greater demand for secure, resilient, powerful digital infrastructure connecting the US and Europe. This latest expansion demonstrates our firm commitment to be the digital infrastructure company that the world’s leading businesses choose to connect with, and we’re super excited about the opportunities it opens up for our customers.”

About Colt Technology Services

Colt Technology Services (Colt) is a global digital infrastructure company which creates extraordinary connections to help businesses succeed. Powered by amazing people and like-minded partners, Colt is driven by its purpose: to put the power of the digital universe in the hands of its customers, wherever, whenever and however they choose.

Since 1992, Colt has set itself apart through its deep commitment to its customers, growing from its heritage in the City of London to more than 60 offices around the world. The powerful Colt IQ Network connects 222 cities and 32 countries with more than 1000 data centres, 51 Metropolitan Area Networks and over 31,000 buildings across Europe, Asia and North America’s largest business hubs. Privately owned, Colt is one of the most financially sound companies in the sector.

Obsessed with delivering industry-leading customer experience, Colt is guided by its dedication to customer innovation, by its values and its responsibility to its customers, partners, people and planet.

For more information, please visit www.colt.net

Business, International News

Leading Intelligence Provider Says Recent Accord Between Saudi Arabia And Iran Extends North-South Trading Corridor

New Coalition Could Signal The Beginning Of The End Of Us Power In The Middle East, According To KCS Group Europe

Leading intelligence provider KCS Group Europe (KCSGE) warns that recent talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, brokered by China, will extend a North-South trading corridor, which could provoke the decline of US power in the Middle East, and dilute the place of the US dollar in the global financial system.

The rapprochement of the two states, previously mired in hostility, is potentially the start of a new coalition of partners, comprising China, Russia, Iran, India and Saudi Arabia.

KCSGE CEO Stuart Poole-Robb says: “A 4,500-mile trading corridor of ship, rail and road routes connects India through to Azerbaijan and onwards to Russia and Central Asia.

“Actions taken by the Biden administration and the conflict in Ukraine has pushed Saudi Arabia, in particular, away from the US. The Chinese-brokered peace between the Saudis and Iran signifies the beginning of the end of US influence.”

This geopolitical shift also contributes to the replacement of the dollar as the international trading currency. Saudi Arabia has concluded an agreement with China which will see it sell oil to China in yuan, becoming part of the BRICS trading system.

Meanwhile, Iran increased its exports of oil to China to 1.2 million barrels a day in February 2023, also being paid in yuan.

China, along with Russia, has expanded the SPFS banking transfer system as an alternative to the SWIFT banking transfer system, from which Russia was expelled. Offered to its BRICS allies, the system allows countries to de-couple from the US dollar for international transactions.

KCSGE has previously written about China’s advocacy of a more multipolar currency system through an expanded BRICS trading system and how it impacts on the EU and G7.

Moreover, Iran and Saudi Arabia have also applied for membership to the Chinese-Russian-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

The move is in line with China’s ambition to expand its influence and economic ties with the Middle East.

Poole-Robb adds: “With Saudi Arabia and Iran being two major powers in the Middle East, any potential agreement between them will have significant implications for energy markets and regional security matters.

“There are potential benefits and risks of this trading accord and the impact it could have on the global economy.”

International News, News

Leading Intelligence Provider Warns Russian Threats To Withdraw From Black Sea Grain Deal Would Be Catastrophic For Poorer Nations

KCS GROUP EUROPE CLAIMS BLACK SEA GRAIN DEAL HAS HELPED TO PREVENT GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS

Leading intelligence provider KCS Group Europe (KCSGE) is warning that Russian threats not to renew the Black Sea Grain Deal would be catastrophic for poorer nations.

The deal, which established a protected wartime corridor for grain and fertiliser exports from three Ukrainian ports, is due to run out on May 18th.

The UN said the deal had helped to alleviate a global food crisis which has been worsened by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

 

KCSGE CEO Stuart Poole-Robb says: “We have previously highlighted the risks attached to the grain deal. It is vital to the lives of many of the world’s poorest communities that it continues.”

 

Russia states that there will be no extension unless the West agrees to the reconnection of Russian Agricultural Bank – Rosselkhozbank – to the Swift banking transfer system.

It also demands concessions on the export of its own grain and fertilisers and the resumption of the supply of agricultural machinery and spare parts, together with the lifting of some restrictions on insurance and reinsurance.

 

Poole-Robb says: “By threatening the end of the Black Sea Grain Deal, Russia is attempting to gain more political leverage over the United Nations.

“Currently, we are in the absurd position that Russia is chair of the rotating monthly presidency of the 15-strong UN Security Council. That is despite invading its neighbour, being subject to sanctions and an arrest warrant for Putin on charges of war crimes.”

 

Previously,  KCS Group Europe has noted that support for Ukraine has been less vocal from African governments, with many remaining neutral or offering quiet support for Putin’s actions.

Closing the grain corridor would lead to an increase in global grain prices at a time when many countries are facing rises in the import costs of fuel and food.

 

Poole-Robb adds: “By using threats to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Deal, Russia is cynically exerting pressure on the governments of poorer nations, which rely on it to feed their populations, to press forward its demands on the West.”

 

KCS Group Europe is a London-based organisation which provides discreet intelligence, corporate security and cyber services around the world.

 

 

 

Education, Education News, International News, News

ESCP Business School celebrates 50 years of European Excellence

In 2023, ESCP celebrates 50 years of the school’s European model, following the creation of EAP in 1973 and the merger with the school in 1999. This year marks the anniversary of a central pillar of ESCP’s identity: its European multi-campus model, which remains unequaled to this day.

Established in Paris in 1819, ESCP is the oldest business school in the world and was destined to be European from the outset. The school was founded upon the European values of humanism and multiculturalism and prioritises a multidisciplinary vision of education, with a focus on science and language.

In the school’s history, the year 1973 was pivotal as it saw the birth of its second half, EAP, the first educational institution to operate on several European campuses.

Today, with campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw, ESCP is the only business school offering Europeans and non-Europeans a unique and comprehensive vision of Europe. The strength of this model was recognised in the latest Financial Times European Business Schools Ranking which placed ESCP 3rd among the top 95 business schools in Europe.

ESCP is totally European in nature, culture and structure. Today, all programmes are multi-campus, 35% of its students are non-French European and 25% non-European. To graduate, all ESCP students must study on at least two or three campuses. ESCP’s campuses and the degrees students receive are officially recognised in all of its host countries.

Léon Laulusa, ESCP’s interim dean and executive president, says: “As we look to the future, we are proud to continue to unite our campuses with pride for European excellence, open to the world and committed to progress. ESCP Business School is not only a European institution but a global leader in business education, recognised for our multiculturalism and commitment to educating purpose-driven leaders who will impact the world.”

Throughout the year, ESCP will celebrate its pioneering model and European network with dedicated events and opportunities to connect past, present and future generations of the ESCP community, starting with the first Europe Week organised by the student society Tribunes, from March 27 to March 31st. Please check the European Way webpage for more information.

ABOUT ESCP BUSINESS SCHOOL

ESCP Business School was founded in 1819. The School has chosen to teach responsible leadership, open to the world and based on European multiculturalism. Six campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw are the stepping stones that allow students to experience this European approach to management.

Several generations of entrepreneurs and managers were thus trained in the firm belief that the business world may feed society in a positive way. This conviction and ESCP’s values – excellence, singularity, creativity and plurality – daily guide our mission and build its pedagogical vision.

Every year, ESCP welcomes 9000+ students and 5000 managers from 130 different nationalities. Its strength lies in its many business training programmes, both general and specialised (Bachelor, Master, MBA, Executive MBA, PhD and Executive Education), all of which include a multi-campus experience.

It all starts here.
Website: www.escp.eu

 

 

 

 

International News, News

KCS Group Europe Says Transporting Russian Oil Remains Big Business – But Tracking Traders Is More Opaque

Intelligence Provider Says ‘Dark Fleet’ Moving Russian Oil

Intelligence provider KCS Group Europe (KCSGE) says the movement of Russian oil has become much more opaque with the introduction of sanctions and a number of previously unknown, but significant, traders have emerged on the global market.

The sanctions cover nearly 90% of Russian oil imports to Europe, and comprised of an embargo on seaborne crude oil imports, petroleum-refined products and introduced a price cap of $60 per barrel for Russian crude.

Importantly, the ban also prohibits EU tankers from transporting Russian crude to third countries and the related provision of technical assistance, broking and insurance services. As a result, many international traders cut their ties with Russia.

 

KCSGE CEO Stuart Poole-Robb says: “This is a complex issue. Firstly, many states have not signed up to the sanctions, including China, India and the Gulf states and buying Russian oil is not illegal.

`’But some practices, such as ship-to-ship transfers and onward movement under murky ownership and flags of convenience, may be assisting Russia to move its oil around the world.”

“Recent data compiled by Lloyd’s List suggests that Greek-based beneficial owners accounted for 31% of tankers calling at five Russian ports in February 2023, with oil-price compliant cargoes.”

 

However, tankers from the so-called ‘dark fleet’ made up the bulk of shipments, accounting for 79 of the 168 tracked vessels – some 48%. This was the highest percentage in the nine months since Lloyd’s List began monitoring.

The company defines ‘dark fleet’ tankers as those which are over 15 years old, used for sanctioned oil trades, with beneficial ownership obscured behind anonymous or shelf companies and engaged in deceptive shipping practices.

The company says around 40% of the dark fleet can be tracked directly to Russian oil shipments, including large vessels which engage in ship-to-ship transfers in international waters and do not call at Russian ports.

ForeignPolicy.com alleges that this growing fleet of ‘ghost’ ships, that cannot be traced and are uninsured, not only potentially breach sanctions, but represent a threat to maritime safety and the environment.

Moreover, an investigation by Bloomberg has uncovered a number of previously unknown companies, registered in Hong Kong and Dubai, which have entered the market to become major commodity traders and are thought to be handling up to 1.4m barrels per day.

 

Poole-Robb says: “To put that figure into context, it exceeds the levels of oil transported by global giants like Trafigura prior to the Ukraine war.

“Flag-hopping and the repeated changing of registries, together with the formation of different companies and new names, can be used by sanction-skirting tankers. Using such flags not only keeps the owners one step ahead of the regulators, but allows them to hide in plain sight.

“Who ultimately owns these companies and how they’re able to finance the movement of oil remains for the moment shrouded in mystery.”

 

—

Image: Stock image of an oil tanker, Deposit Photos.

 

International News, News, Technology

Colt expands partnership with Equinix in three key regions

New software-driven connectivity simplifies user experience and helps business grow and scale in Spain, Italy and Sweden 

Colt Technology Services, the digital infrastructure company, today announced new software-driven connectivity in three countries, expanding its longstanding collaboration with Equinix, Inc (Nasdaq: EQIX). Businesses now have access to Colt’s On Demand infrastructure interconnecting with Equinix Fabric™ in Spain, Italy and Sweden, as well as in the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Singapore and Hong Kong. The extended collaboration between Colt and Equinix deepens their long running commitment to a global partner ecosystem and meets growing demand across key regions.

The Colt On Demand network interconnnects seamlessly and dynamically with Equinix Fabric across Europe and Asia, giving flexible last mile access to Equinix International Business Exchange™ (IBX®) data centres and in particular to Equinix Digital Services; offering businesses choice, diversity and visibility of their infrastructure to help them succeed in today’s global digital world. With Colt On Demand Interconnect, organisations can:

  • Connect in near real-time to their own premises through the Colt On-Demand footprint of 31,000 on-net buildings interconnected through 11 regions to Platform Equinix®, offering end-to-end connectivity to Equinix data centres and Digital Services
  • Quickly upscale their infrastructure to meet customer requirements
  • Respond faster to rapidly changing market conditions
  • Deliver complex digital transformation programmes, knowing they have a flexible, resilient consumption-based infrastructure as a foundation
  • Accelerate and optimise their shift to the cloud, eliminating the need for on-premise hardware and supporting ESG initiatives
  • Remove the need to manage multiple partners and connectivity contracts across multiple geographies, instead benefiting from access to secure, resilient end-to-end infrastructure and best-in-class after-sales support as part of a single global partner ecosystem

Colt is seeing a significant increase in the number of On Demand customers who self-provision their network services, with a high double digit revenue growth in 2022, and this trend is expected to continue into 2023 and beyond.

Mark Hollman, Vice President for Partner Development and Success at Colt said, “The network is the catalyst for transformation, for businesses looking to flex, digitalise and stay relevant, but managing this infrastructure can be incredibly complex – especially across multiple countries. Businesses are already facing headwinds in 2023, and the last thing they need is to be held back by lengthy contracts and inflexible services.” He continued, “In this latest evolution of our longstanding partnership with Equinix, we’ve invested in joint API development to deliver a simplified, automated and improved customer experience across Colt On Demand and Equinix Fabric platforms. We’re really excited to offer this in Spain, Italy and Sweden as well as the existing regions in Europe and Asia, driving extraordinary connections for our customers.”

Mark Anderson, Vice President, Global Technical Sales at Equinix said “Combining Colt’s global network with Equinix’s global digital footprint provides enterprises with complete dynamic digital solutions, addressing end-to-end requirements from architecting a global network backbone, to optimising the last-mile experience of users every day. Further expanding and automating this can only be a good thing, and a great opportunity for customers to take their connectivity to critical business partners to the next level.”

Colt is one of the few Network Service Providers on Equinix Fabric able to offer flexible On Demand connectivity and digital services at global scale plus last-mile connectivity to tens of thousands of on-net addresses via API or portal-based self-provisioning. Find out more about the Colt and Equinix partnership here: https://www.colt.net/why-colt/partners/equinix/

Appointments, Business & Property News, International News, News

Amperity Accelerates European Growth with New London Office

Leading customer data platform company ramps up on-the-ground support with new executive hires to meet surging demand

Amperity, the leading customer data platform (CDP) for enterprise consumer brands, today announces its expansion in the European market with the opening of a new office in London and a trio of new executive appointments.

Amperity’s strengthened European presence is set to ensure brands in the region are empowered to unlock the value of their data to attract and retain customers, while saving money, time, and fostering business growth. Amperity is in increased demand as more brands in the region are realising that inaccurate or incomplete profiles alienate customers and waste resources — and that a holistic customer view reduces expenses, grows revenue and improves the customer and employee experience.

Overseeing the company’s success in the region is Matthew Biboud Lubeck, (pictured above) who has now been promoted to Vice President EMEA. The strong demand has also necessitated the onboarding of two additional senior hires Scott Boocock, Area VP EMEA Sales, and Alex Henry, Solutions Consultant, who will be helping brands realise the exponential opportunities that can only be unlocked with a full 360-view of the customer.

Bringing more than 15 years of experience, Lubeck joined Amperity in 2017. He is a true data mastermind with experience helping global beauty conglomerates Estee Lauder and L’Oréal better use data to unlock incredible experiences and emerge as industry leaders, Lubeck is overseeing Amperity’s growth and success in the region.

“There’s nothing quite like seeing the energy and enthusiasm of a team, reaching new audiences with great solutions. By expanding our presence in the European market, Amperity will be able to help more brands unlock the value of their customer data, driving growth and profit,” says Barry Padgett, CEO of Amperity. “With a demand that has continued to outpace our imagination, Amperity remains a power source for hundreds of brands to fuel their customer-centric growth strategies. Our customers and prospects in the region will be able to plug into this, drawing expertise from Matthew and the team from day one, putting the power of their customer data to work immediately.”

Amperity is experiencing significant demand from brands around the globe that are eager to utilise their first-party data to drive meaningful connections with customers as the deprecation of third-party cookies draws nearer, inflation rises, recession looms and privacy regulations tighten.

Lubeck says, “Amperity’s European brand portfolio is growing rapidly, and this represents a movement of forward-thinking industry leaders intent on leading their organisations through successful data-transformations. These brands are focused on unlocking game-changing AI-powered customer insights that will drive immediate marketing ROI as well as future-proof against market changes such as third-party cookie deprecation and increasingly strict privacy regulations. Most importantly, they’re focused on creating incredible value for their customers and businesses.

“We are committed to bolstering our presence in the UK and Europe, including a number of new local partnerships, the 2022 launch of Amperity’s EU data centre, and now, by welcoming two seasoned experts, Scott and Alex, on board to help accelerate the opportunity brands have to serve their customers at a time when demand for Amperity’s enterprise CDP is at an all-time high.”

Amperity is already seeing great traction in the European market, working with several leading brands, including Brooks Running, Citizen Watch, and Reckitt. Learn more about Amperity’s expansion in the UK/EMEA market here.

 

About Amperity

Amperity is the leading customer data platform provider that helps companies use data to improve marketing performance, build long-term customer loyalty and drive growth. Amperity’s flagship enterprise CDP is used by many of the world’s best-loved brands, such as Alaska Airlines, Endeavour Drinks, Kendra Scott, Lucky Brand, Planet Fitness, Seattle Sounders FC, Under Armour and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. For more information, please visit amperity.com or follow @Amperity.

 

 

 

Business Advice, International News, News

Rebuilding Turkey will come with seismic risks for foreign investors, warn KCS Group Europe

KCS Group Europe says earthquakes have fractured Erdogan’s support base and President could pay the price at May’s elections – but only if they are held fairly

Leading strategic intelligence experts, KCS Group Europe, have warned that much-needed foreign investment to help rebuild Turkey following the recent earthquakes will be accompanied by a host of corporate security risks, amid growing economic and political uncertainty in the region.

KCS Group Europe’s analysis suggests that for President Reycep Tayyip Erdogan, whose support base lies in the worst hit southeastern towns and villages, the earthquakes may also prove to be a political, as well as ongoing humanitarian, disaster.

The president was a ‘no-show’ for 21 hours after the first quake but on a visit to Hatay, one of the worst hit spots on February 6th, was quoted as saying: “It was not possible to be prepared for a disaster this big.”

The death toll from the earthquakes in Turkey and Northern Syria has passed 46,000 and is expected to rise further with many still trapped in collapsed buildings. Blocks have been reduced to rubble and there is a pressing need for shelter, fresh water, medical supplies and economic aid for survivors.

Erdogan came to power following an earlier earthquake in 1999 in which 17,000 people were killed and thousands more displaced.

KCS Group Europe CEO Stuart Poole-Robb said: “The recent earthquakes have been utterly tragic, and they have exacerbated underlying problems with the economy which remains vulnerable to both external economic shocks and worsening economic expectations. As a result the risks for foreign companies are seismic.”

It’s estimated that the earthquakes may represent a loss of 1% of the country’s GDP. All this comes at a time when Turkey’s national budget deficit for 2022 reached an all-time high of $48.8billion. External cash inflows have offset foreign deficits to the tune of $24.2 billion, with much of this coming from Russia, and sanctioned Russian entities are already attempting to increase their footprint in Turkey.

Turkish inflation reached 83% in September last year, causing the country’s credit score to be downgraded to B. Going against the advice of economists to raise interest rates to combat inflation, President Erdogan lowered the interest rate to 12%.

 

Poole-Robb added: “Some very large companies have gone bust in the last year which highlight the difficulties of trading in Turkey at present. It’s likely that we will see more of Erdogan’s unorthodox economic, political and social policies in the coming weeks and months as he seeks to hang on to power, which will create further risks for foreign investors.

“As the value of the lira continues to fall, foreign lenders may refuse to renew their loans to the Turkish banks and ultimately there’s a risk that Turkey may default on its debt.”

Elections are due in May, and it remains to be seen whether they are delayed or held fairly.

But people across the country are demanding to know why the government failed to enforce modern building standards or prosecute violations which occurred on a widespread scale. Planners have highlighted a 2018 government amnesty that meant violations of the building code could be swept away with a fine, and left some six million buildings unmodified.

In the ten most severely affected cities in the south-east over 100,000 applications were made for an amnesty to the code, says Dr Pelin Pinar Giritlioglu of Istanbul University. There was also a high intensity of illegal construction.

Meanwhile, levies raised by the fines have disappeared into government coffers without any indication of what they have been used for, leading to widespread anger and accusations of corruption.

“Raycip Erdogan’s hopes of unifying the country ahead of the elections in May are likely to fall on deaf ears. It’s possible that he may seek to extend the current state of emergency or delay the elections to buy his party more time,” concludes Poole-Robb.

But after 20 years in power, the fault lines which run across Turkey may have fatally exposed Erdogan’s broken promises to the very people that have kept him in government.