Facilitating SMEs

Microsoft for Start-ups, Ansarada

Global partnership to give start-ups wings

A NEW global collaboration aims to make it easier and faster for start-ups to raise capital and grow. Start-ups play a pivotal role in a...
Mike Meldman, George Clooney, Rande Gerber

That’s the spirit!

George Clooney isn’t just a pretty face. It turns out the Hollywood heartthrob is also a shrewd businessman… By Darren Parkin WHEN celebrated actor George Clooney...

Rural areas, too long seen as poverty traps, key to economic...

But sweeping transformations needed to unlock their potential to help feed and employ a younger, more crowded planet - new report 9 October 2017, Rome -...
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Autumn Statement

Sunak’s Budget brings relief to many – with a few misgivings

By HAL WILLIAMS THE BRITISH chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the 2021 Budget, with pledges to help recovery from the Covid pandemic. The support package for...
Calculator, tax, accounts

Tax reform hits contractors in hip pocket, says survey

THE new IR35 reform coming into force across the UK could cause contractors to miss out on take-home pay, a study claims. Research by SME...
Mind Trace, one of the innovators showcased at events in March

Uni-supported innovators to pitch at showcase events

FOUNDERS of University of Edinburgh-supported start-ups will be able to showcase their companies to an audience of investors at two events taking in March. Ten...
Rishi Sunak, UK Chancellor

Second helping of aid for the UK’s self-employed

SELF-EMPLOYED people whose income has been hit by coronavirus can apply for a second support grant from the UK government. The first was launched in...
Global Trade Finance

Seven international banks sign-up for global digital network for SME finance

CHEAPER and easier funding for corporates via a global digital network in trade finance: this is the goal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)...
zambia-makes-steady-progress-in-financial-inclusion-but-many-women-still-excluded

Zambia Makes Steady Progress in Financial Inclusion but Many Women Still...

Mary Banda runs a small restaurant in Kamwala market, one of Lusaka’s oldest markets. She uses the proceeds from her business to feed her...
ILO SCORE

SCORE-ing big! How a cooperative approach to improved work conditions in...

Improving SMEs workplace practices can help them achieve better productivity. The ILO’s SCORE Training programme is helping companies in China improve work conditions, and...