The new “Creative Europe” programme will promote the mobility of European artists and works, and help audiovisual professionals to adapt to the digital age, for the next seven years. On Tuesday Parliament passed a draft law putting in place a loan guarantee mechanism to help micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises in the cultural and creative […]
1-in-3 of Europe’s SMEs Not Getting Finance They Need
One third of SMEs didn’t get the full financing they had planned for during 2013, and 15% saw access to finance as a significant problem for their companies. Europe’s companies believe that bank financing conditions worsened during 2013, with respect to interest rates, collateral and required guarantees. Despite this sorry tale, 85% of all loans […]
Best Supporting Actor, Almunia Adopts New Film Rules
European Commission Vice-President, Joaquín Almunia, has adopted revised criteria for EU state aid in favour of films and other audio-visual works. The new Cinema Communication allows aid for a wider scope of activities, highlights Member States’ discretion in defining cultural activities worthy of support, introduces the possibility to give more aid to cross-border productions and promotes film […]
Finland’s Picodeon Gets Precious With Thinner Materials
Finnish coating technology specialist Picodeon Ltd has developed its ColdAb ultra-short pulsed laser deposition technology (US PLD) for use in the application of gold and platinum thin films, enabling thinner films and the reduction of precious metal costs. Precious metals like gold and platinum are finding more and more industrial applications in memory storage, energy […]
German Growth ‘Normalisation’… Whatever That Might Look Like
Back to normal. After a strong second quarter, the German economy has returned to its potential growth rate in the third quarter. According to the first estimate of the German statistical office, the economy grew by 0.3% QoQ, from 0.7% QoQ in 2Q. On the year, German GDP is up by 1.1%, from 0.9% in […]
EU Industrial Production Down On The Month, Up On The Year
In September 2013 compared with August 2013, seasonally adjusted industrial production1 fell by 0.5% in the euro area2 (EA17) and by 0.2% in the EU282, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In August3 industrial production increased by 1.0% and 0.6% respectively. In September 2013 compared with September 20124, industrial production rose by 1.1% in the euro area and […]
Pip Howeson, London Entrepreneur Tailored To Perfection
London tailor, Pip Howeson, has announced funding from ex Dragon’s Den star Doug Richard, and media entrepreneur Chris Ingram, to build on her fast-growing reputation for bespoke high-end tailoring, using ethically sourced British fabrics. Setting out a vision to make made-to-measure fashion more accessible to women everywhere, Howeson, a graduate of the first class of ‘School […]
TTIP Negotiations. Round Two. Seconds Out.
Negotiators meet for the second round of Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership talks. The EU and U.S. EU negotiators met in Brussels yesterday for the first day in a second round of talks to foster progress in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The beginning of the week will be devoted to discussions on investment […]
The Slim Summit. Barroso Gets Refit And Focused On SMEs
David Cameron is always convinced the EU is losing a few pounds, but more evidence of health fads at the Commission emerged post-Summit. Gone was mention of a well-toned financial Six-Pack, but, wait for it, we’re all buzz with REFIT… Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, is King of the Political Treadmill, but everyone […]
Digital Dialogue At EU Summit. GSMA Seeks Economic Growth From Telecoms Investment
Europe’s lagging investment in communications infrastructure was loudly, though timidly addressed at today’s European Summit in Brussels. Political leaders put the digital economy firmly at the top of their agenda and pointed to its central importance in driving growth, innovation and competitiveness. Increasing the NSA’s angst, and to no one’s surprise, it was the United States’ […]