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Where do People Travel for Business?

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Where do People Travel for Business?

When it comes to global business, the right transportation is essential. Getting talent from one side of the globe to another matters as much as ever it has – and perhaps even more so. But which cities are the most attractive for modern business? This is a question whose answers have remained more or less the same over the last four or five years, despite the fact that global business flights have more than doubled.

New York

The Big Apple leads the pack when it comes to inbound business flight, and it has done since 2014. This is largely thanks to its status as a centre of global finance, but it’s also because New York is among the most business-friendly states in the US, with a range of tax incentives offered to startups. Buzzfeed and WebMD originated here. Whether you’re taking a private jet or a commercial airliner, New York remains the world’s premier destination for business travellers.

London

London has consistently run a close second, despite the uncertainty still lingering over Brexit. Among the biggest draws of the capital is the English language, which remains the second most widely-spoken language in the world (and probably claims the top spot when we count only the customers of international airports). London contains around 15 businesses per hundred residents; the figure for the rest of the UK is around 10.

Paris

Paris is something of a fast-climber, experiencing around twenty-per cent growth over the two-year spell from 2016-2018. It’s easy to see why a business might locate here; Paris has an enormous amount of culture and history to offer, and thus it’s easy to persuade would-be staff to settle here. While France might have something of a reputation for overbearing bureaucracy (the word, is, after all, derived from a French one), the business environment is competitive enough to tempt many international businesses and skilled employees looking to sample life on the continent.

Shanghai

With China having established itself as a global power, it’s probably no surprise that its busiest airport is so attractive to international business customers. While the city isn’t quite as attractive to western travellers as the other entries to this list, it’s a location that no globalised business can afford to neglect – and this is reflected in its rapid rise as a centre of international air traffic. 

Among the more interesting trends in global air traffic generally has been an increased spread between different continents, with five of the seven listed in the top twenty destinations. There is perhaps no better example of this than that of Shanghai.

Toronto

Toronto outranks many US cities, including San Francisco, Houston and LA. As with New York, there is a range of incentives to businesses looking to grow here. The combined rate of corporate and income tax sits at around 26.5%, which is lower than the US average by around thirteen percentage points.

Singapore

Like Dubai, Singapore claims a great deal of air travel thanks to its popularity as a stop-off for long-haul flights between Europe and Australia. But there’s more to Singapore than that. The country is widely regarded as an ideal place from which to tap into Asia’s emerging markets. The location is strategically attractive, the workforce is competitive and the economic policy is explicitly favourable to business. It’s also emerging as serious competition for Hong Kong’s financial centres. For the world’s business travellers, there’s no shortage of reasons to pay this part of the world a visit.

Sausage Market in the USA – Key Insights

IndexBox has just published a new report, the U.S. Sausage, Canned Meat, And Meat By-Product Market. Analysis And Forecast to 2025. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The revenue of the sausage market in the U.S. amounted to $4B in 2018, dropping by -7.9% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).

Overall, sausage consumption continues to indicate an abrupt reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014, when the market value increased by -0.8% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the sausage market reached its peak figure level at $6B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sausage Exports

Exports from the USA

In 2018, the amount of sausage, canned meat, and meat by-product exported from the U.S. stood at 852K tonnes, growing by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2013 to 2018: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last five year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, the sausage exports increased by +64.3% against 2015 indices.

In value terms, sausage exports totaled $527M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Exports by Country

Indonesia (216K tonnes), Singapore (160K tonnes) and China (84K tonnes) were the main destinations of sausage exports from the U.S., with a combined 54% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Singapore (+763.0% per year), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Singapore ($111M), Indonesia ($105M) and China ($58M) appeared to be the largest markets for sausage exported from the U.S. worldwide, together comprising 52% of total exports.

Export Prices by Country

The average sausage export price stood at $618 per tonne in 2018, reducing by -8.2% against the previous year. In general, the sausage export price continues to indicate a moderate slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017, an increase of 6.6% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the average export prices for sausage, canned meat, and meat by-product reached their peak figure at $697 per tonne in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average export prices for the major foreign markets. In 2018, the country with the highest export price was Honduras ($901 per tonne), while the average price for exports to the Philippines ($419 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of export prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+13.3% per year), while the export prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sausage Imports

Imports into the USA

Sausage imports into the U.S. stood at 258K tonnes in 2018, jumping by 26% against the previous year.

In value terms, sausage imports stood at $533M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

In 2018, Australia (99K tonnes) constituted the largest supplier of sausage to the U.S., accounting for a 38% share of total imports. Moreover, sausage imports from Australia exceeded the figures recorded by the second largest supplier, New Zealand (46K tonnes), twofold. China (22K tonnes) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 8.6% share.

From 2013 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of volume from Australia amounted to +19.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: New Zealand (-5.7% per year) and China (+22.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($135M), Australia ($121M) and New Zealand ($99M) appeared to be the largest sausage suppliers to the U.S., with a combined 67% share of total imports. Brazil, France, Belgium, India, Canada, Denmark, Italy and Chile lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the average sausage import price amounted to $2.1 per kg, going up by 10% against the previous year. Over the last five year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018, an increase of 10% year-to-year. In that year, the average import prices for sausage, canned meat, and meat by-product reached their peak level, and is likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2018, the country with the highest import price was China ($6.1 per kg), while the price for Canada ($506 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of import prices was attained by Belgium (+21.0% per year), while the import prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Companies Mentioned in the Report

Darling Ingredients, Griffin Industries, Baker Commodities, R U K Ltd, Neatsfoot Oil Refineries Corp, Geo. Pfau’s Sons Company, Inland Products, Hrr Enterprises, Ace Grease Service, Texas By-Products Partnership, Park West Enterprises, Tallowmasters, Kruger Commodities, Mendota Agri-Products, Riegel By-Products Co, Valley By Products, Marine Polymer Technologies, Kane-Miller Corp, Sanimax Ato, Hahn & Phillips Grease Company, Nupro Industries Corporation, W B Riggins Tallow Co, H.T.C. Industries, North State Rendering, Co., Nevada Byproducts, Istamer, Simmons Feed Ingredients

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Singapore: The case grows stronger

Pick any global ranking of places to do business, and it’s safe to say Singapore will appear somewhere near the top. TMF Group’s Financial Complexity Index ranks it among the most straightforward countries in the world in terms of financial compliance. It’s no surprise that many companies have already chosen to make Singapore their de facto home in the Asia-Pacific region. We believe some recent trends and developments build the case for incorporating in Singapore even further.

As if to show it’s not resting on its laurels, Singapore’s government continues to introduce changes to enhance the overall business environment, as well as tweaks to encourage investment from specific industries.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s recent introduction of the Variable Capital Company structure is an excellent example. The VCC will significantly boost Singapore’s appeal as a center for the domiciling and management of funds. It makes it easier for investors to enter and exit funds, manage multiple sub-funds and streamline accounting procedures.

This development comes not long after changes to the tax treatment of Singapore-listed real estate investment trusts (S-REITs), which should further encourage the development of this asset class. Authorities have also put a host of incentives and support infrastructure in place to foster future-focused industries, from fintech to green buildings.

In August, the Monetary Authority of Singapore also announced and issued the revised Code of Corporate Governance with the desired outcome to support sustained corporate performance and innovation as well as strengthen investor confidence in Singapore’s capital markets.

Promising foundations

Beyond pro-business policies, the city-state’s abundance of private wealth and high-net-worth individuals make it attractive for investors to raise funds. Singapore’s ultra-high-net-worth population is set to expand 40 percent by 2026, outpacing London and New York.

None of this is to say Singapore isn’t without its challenges. The government has been tightening procedures for the hiring of foreign executives, and more stringent anti money-laundering procedures mean processes like opening a bank account can sometimes involve more complications than companies expect.

But even these challenges have corresponding upsides. Singapore’s stability and high quality of life means attracting and hiring foreign talent of a caliber that meets the bar set by the government is rarely a problem for long. The rigorous checks exercised by some banks are testament to the integrity and security of the local financial system, which enable investors to transact and house funds in absolute confidence.

Tapping into a regional network

Another of Singapore’s unique strengths is the role it can play as a gateway to one of the world’s most promising growth stories. The city is part of (and geographically at the heart of) the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a region tipped to be the fourth-largest economy globally by 2030, home to a rising middle class. With its highly developed infrastructure and exceptional connections, Singapore provides the ideal foundation to develop a presence throughout Southeast Asia and beyond.

However, it must also be noted that not all regional economies offer Singapore’s levels of regulatory and compliance certainty. This means potential investors planning to use Singapore as an entry point for ASEAN should seek local support to plan their strategies and navigate ASEAN’s still distinct bureaucracies.

By engaging such a partner from the beginning, investors can structure their Singapore and subsequent operations in a way that will enable them to move quickly and effectively to tap into the region’s significant potential.

Matthew Allen is the regional director for business development at TMF Group based in the Singapore office. TMF Group is a professional services firm based in the Netherlands that provides accounting, HR, payroll and other administrative services, with a focus on companies that are expanding internationally.

Johnny Rocket’s Open’s New Singapore Restaurant

Alsio Viejo, CA – After successful development in Southeast Asian markets, including the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, Johnny Rockets is now partnering with new partners to open a new restaurant in Singapore.

“With 13 restaurants currently operating in Southeast Asia, Singapore is a natural next step in furthering our expansion in the region,” said Scott Chorna, SVP of International Development for Johnny Rockets.  “With the demand for better burger concepts booming, now is the ideal time for Singapore residents and visitors to experience our signature American dishes.”

A destination for both residents and travelers, Johnny Rockets’ entry into Singapore paves the way for future growth in Asia, particularly Vietnam, Thailand and China, markets “that historically have embraced Americana cuisine and culture,” the company said.

Johnny Rockets’ franchise partners currently operate more than 100 restaurants outside the US, with plans to double that number by 2017 as part of its global strategy.

Purchased by Sun Capital Partners in June 2013, Johnny Rockets operates more than 320 franchise and corporate locations in 26 countries around the world.

 

10/10/2014