1. Chambers Ireland Economic Survey 2019

The annual Chambers Ireland Economic Survey 2019, in collaboration with Eurochambres, is *now open* and will run for two months until the 28^th of September.

The survey takes no more than 2 minutes to complete.

The survey is available from this link – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SWMM929

If you have any questions, please contact emma.kerins@chambers.ie

 

 2.Reminder: Update your website with the new Membership Video

Our Chamber Network membership video has recently been updated with our new branding.

Please update the Membership video on your own online platforms and then share on your social media channels.

The Membership Video is a great resource for the Chamber Network and a useful tool for new membership recruitment and engagement within the Chamber. Attached is a quick guide which will help your Chamber make the most of the Membership Video which is available on www.chambers.ie and on the Chambers Ireland YouTube channel.

The video can also be downloaded here: https://we.tl/7dUu0HDaT1

Any queries on the video, please contact leona.murphy@chambers.ie

 

3.Future of Europe / European Elections 2019

As you may know, the European Commission has an ongoing public consultation concerning the Future of Europe (open until next year) and the Irish Government has also been holding a number of public events on this matter.

Our colleagues in Eurochambres plan to draft their own European Chamber position paper on what the wider Network feels should be the priorities for the EU going forward.

They have asked for our views on what business believes the priorities of the EU should be going forward.

We believe having a business friendly position on the Future of Europe will be very important ahead of the European elections in May 2019.

Please feel free to contact our EU & International Affairs Manager Emma Kerins to discuss this by phone on +353 (0) 1 400 4303,

alternatively please send on your feedback or comments directly to emma.kerins@chambers.ie before Monday, 20^th of August.

We would encourage you to send this notice out to your members and contacts for their feedback.

4.Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation – Competitive Start funds for Overseas Entrepreneurs

Heather Humphreys TD last week announced two new Competitive Start Funds (CSF) totalling up to €1 million to support overseas entrepreneurs and start-ups led by experienced business professionals. The funds, which will run simultaneously will be administered by Enterprise Ireland.

Each Fund will provide up to €50,000 in equity funding for up to 10 successful applicants and will open for submissions on Tuesday, 21st August and will close on Tuesday, 4th September.

This CSF is part of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for increasing the number and quality of High Potential Start-Up Companies (HPSUs) that have the potential to employ more than 10 persons and achieve €1 million in export sales within three years.

Full details on the Competitive Start Fund, including the application form can be accessed on the Enterprise Ireland website: www.enterprise-ireland.com/CSF

 

5.Bain & Company’s 2018 Diversity & Inclusion Survey – please participate & share

The 30% Club UK, the organisation which campaigns for greater representation of women on the boards of FTSE100 boards with a target of a minimum of 30%, are working with Bain & Company in surveying employee views on diversity and inclusion in the we workplace, and have offered the opportunity for Irish organisations to also participate.

If this is something you would be interested in supporting, you can take the survey by using this link:

https://qsharingeu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1HpPw1hWRbMQ91j

The survey takes 15 – 20 minute and your responses will be completely anonymous and confidential.

The survey will close on 7 September 2018.

 

6.Russo British Chamber of Commerce – Trade Mission to Moscow and the Moscow Region: 28 October 2018 – 1 November 2018

The Russo British Chamber of Commerce (RBCC) is planning a Trade Mission to Moscow and the Moscow Region on 28 October – 1 November. The aim of the trade mission is to match UK and Irish companies with Russian companies in Moscow city, Elektrostal, Pavlovsy Posad and Electrogorsk.

The mission will focus on the following sectors: pharma, education, manufacturing, logistics, textiles and Chemical Industries.

Preliminary work has begun on developing a programme for delegates and the RBCC will be in touch with the Russian Embassy in Dublin when further information is provided.

More information on the mission can be found via this link:

http://www.rbcc.com/events/rbcc-trade-mission-to-moscow-region-28-10-18-01-11-18/

 

7.Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation – Brexit Preparedness Notices

In the event of no agreement being reached between the EU and the UK in the Brexit negotiations, the European Commission has prepared a list of notices to help businesses prepare across various business areas and are available to view on the Commission’s website: European Commission Brexit Preparedness

The Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation (DBEI) is encouraging firms to review these notices and consider relevant actions that may be required in terms of Brexit.

If you have any queries, please contact our EU & International Affairs Manager Emma Kerins: Emma.Kerins@chambers.ie