LATEST UK – JAPAN REPORTS
Help Urged for Exporters of Scotch Beef
Richard Lochhead , the Scottish government ’ s cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment , has urged Owen Paterson , secretary of state for environment , food and rural affairs , to open up export markets to Japan for Scotch beef , the Farmers Weekly reported on 22 April .
At April ’ s Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers ’ conference , Lochhead said he was shocked to find that gaining access to the Japanese market was not a UK government priority . He believes offers from the Scottish government to provide resources to secure accreditation for
Scotch beef in Japan and other countries have been ignored .
Meanwhile , export sales of Scotch beef to European markets thus far this year are up 16 %, and Quality Meat Scotland said it is actively targeting new markets in the Nordic countries and Germany .
Most Developed Nations Index
The UK has been ranked as the second-most advanced country in the world , while Japan was placed in eighth position , according to the Social Progress Index issued on 17 April .
The listing assesses 50 leading countries by combining figures on everything from health to broadband access and freedom of speech .
Compiled by a Massachusetts Institute of Technology team of economists , who used over 50 sets of data to assemble the list , the index is an alternative to traditional measures that are based on purely economic standards .
The UK outstrips the US , Germany , France and Japan for overall progress in living standards , infrastructure and individual opportunity and , although the UK ’ s health spending is 11th , it takes the top spot for overall health and wellness . That has proved central to the UK ’ s success in the rankings .
According to the authors , the UK ’ s constant efforts to “ straddle ” Europe and the US have made it one if the best places overall to live in the world .
Sales of Luxury Car Growing
Nissan Motor Company ’ s Infiniti luxury car brand has increased its UK sales by 45 % year-on-year , Motortrades Insight reported on 17 April .
Since the first Infiniti Centre was set up in Reading in 2009 , a further six centres have opened across the country , with another three planned .
Sales for the year ending March 2013 show a 45 % year-on-year increase , and a hike of 23 % just for the first three months of 2013 .
The good performance has been fuelled mainly by sales of the FX and recently introduced Ifiniti M35h saloon .
According to a recent independent brand tracking survey by GFK Custom Research Japan KK , there has been a significant increase in awareness of the Infiniti brand . In 2011 , only 51 % of respondents had heard of the premium brand , while the ratio has now reached 64 %.
The new Infiniti Q50 premium sports car is planned for release in the autumn .
Norwich Software Firm Expands Global Portfolio with Energy Deal
Falcon Global has obtained a licensing deal with a Yokohama-based oil and gas firm to increase its global portfolio , the Eastern Daily Press reported on 3 April .
The UK firm will now be able to use its Zenator Systems project management software in any projects conducted with Chiyoda Corporation .
The agreement has enabled the firm to forecast a rise in turnover from £ 1.9mn to between £ 5mn and £ 6mn this year , and are planning to add new employees to its staff .
Return of Classic Bikes
Norton Motorcycles ( UK ) Ltd ’ s motorbikes are to be sold again in Japan , after having pulled out of the market 30 years ago , the Leicester Mercury reported on 18 April .
It will be the first time the British bikes will be exported outside Europe since the firm returned to UK ownership in 2008 .
The bikes are to be sold across Japan through 14 dealerships , where numerous orders have already been placed by Japanese customers .
Within 18 months , the firm — which has 50 employees — plans to quadruple production to 40 bikes per week , and increase its workforce to between 150 and 200 staffers .
Norton also will soon sell their quality , handmade bikes in the US and Canada , where it has already attracted numerous orders .
OFFICIAL IMPORTER / PCI CO ., LTD .
Norton Motorcycles ( UK ) Ltd ’ s Commando 961 Sport will be sold across 14 dealerships here .
8 | BCCJ ACUMEN | MAY 2013