> Mr. J.S. Deepak, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of India to the World Trade Organization presented his letter of Credentials to Mr. Roberto Azevedo, Director-General, WTO on June 6, 2017.
Jul62017
Jul62017
News story: Prompt payment makes for good business
One of the benefits of securing work with government is its record of paying suppliers on time. Over 80% of undisputed invoices to SMEs are paid within 5 days, with the remainder paid within 30 days. These terms make for loyal and happy suppliers, and small businesses would like to see more of the same.
This is why it’s good news that Crown Commercial Service has been hard at work in passing down prompt payment terms to tier one suppliers. They have focused on 32 strategic suppliers to central government ie large companies that secure the greatest amount of contracts. This week marks a milestone in that all 32 strategic suppliers have now signed up to the Prompt Payment Code which is an acceptance that they will follow government’s lead in paying their small business suppliers within 30 days. This is welcome news to thousands of small business owners.
Government is not stopping at the largest of companies; it’s encouraging companies of all sizes to sign up to the Prompt Payment Code, including small ones. Doing so is a way of saying you’ll treat suppliers as you’d like to be treated yourself ie getting paid on time!
Recognising that prompt payment continues to be a big issue for small business, the government has also announced the appointment of a Small Business Commissioner also recently(https://publicappointments.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/appointment/small-business-commissioner/), whose sole focus will be dealing with issues and complaints around late payment. The chosen candidate will have a 4 year tenure which will hopefully be sufficient time to bed-in a culture of prompt payment across the UK corporate scene.
As small business owners, we’ve all been there when it comes to having to chase clients for overdue bills. It puts a strain on client relations and, more critically, puts the business at risk.
These moves to encourage large government suppliers to sign up to the Prompt Payment Code and the appointment of a Commissioner are steps in the right direction of ensuring the survival rate of the smallest firms in Britain.
Jul62017
Over 100 trains suspended over downpour in C. China
Over 100 trains have been suspended after heavy rain flooded a tunnel on a key railway line through central China, according to railway authorities.
Water flowed into Liuyanghe Tunnel along the high speed railway between Beijing and Guangzhou early Thursday. The tunnel has been closed and maintenance crews are using equipment to pump out the water, Guangzhou Railway (Group) Corporation said.
Trains that pass through Hunan and Hubei provinces have been affected. As of 10 a.m. Thursday, 104 trains had been suspended.
Railway authorities have reminded passengers to stay up to date with information regarding the suspension.
In Hunan, heavy rain since on June 22 has killed 27 people with 8 still missing.
Jul62017
Police investigate Baidu self-driving car video
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Baidu tested a self-driving vehicle on the fifth ring road in Beijing on Wednesday, with its chairman and CEO Robin Li sitting in the passenger seat. [Photo/China Daily] |
Beijing traffic police said Thursday that they will investigate footage showing a self-driving car developed by Chinese tech giant Baidu on the open road.
At a meeting Wednesday, Li Yanhong, Baidu’s CEO, live streamed while riding in a Baidu self-driving car on Beijing’s fifth ring road.
The video went viral on social media, and caught the attention of traffic police. The public has since debated whether driverless cars should be allowed on the streets, as there are no clear regulations or laws covering their use.
Traffic police said they support technological innovation in driverless vehicles, but will investigate possible violations of existing traffic laws.
Baidu launched its autonomous car project in 2013, joining the race with Internet giants such as Google and Tesla Motors. The search engine giant said in 2016 that it plans to mass-produce driverless cars in five years.
Jul62017
Polepark Road environmental improvements
Late last year, I highlighted that the City Council had identified environmental improvements at Polepark Road as part of a number of welcome works taking place to upgrade areas in the West End.
Polepark was particularly welcome as I had previously advised the City Council the need for upgrade of the area to the back of the flats on the east side of Polepark Road.
The works were approved at the council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee last month and I asked if the tenants’ car park immediately north of the flats would be improved at the same time given its poor surface.
The council’s Head of Housing and Communities has now updated me as follows :
“I can confirm that the car park area at this location is on the Housing Revenue Account. We have opened discussions with environment staff to ensure that we co-ordinate housing and environment works in this area so that the car park does not detract from the other works being planned.”