Category: Business

South Africa’s private sector activity grew for the first time in six months in August, according to a survey released on Monday. The S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 51.0 in August from 48.2 in July, indicating an expansion in business activity. The survey attributed the improvement to increased demand and output, as well as a slower rise in input costs. Improved demand and output The…

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of the charitable sector in Canada, which is struggling to meet the increasing demand for its services while facing a decline in donations. A recent opinion piece in The Globe and Mail argues that business leaders have a responsibility to ensure that charities have the capacity to help Canadians in need. The challenges facing Canadian charities According to Canada Helps, a platform that…

The Business Council of Canada, a group representing more than 150 chief executives of Canada’s largest corporations, has released a report calling on the federal government to beef up its national security measures to protect Canadian businesses from foreign interference and espionage. Report highlights threats to Canadian economy and competitiveness The report, titled “Protecting Canada’s Economic Security: A National Security Strategy for Business”, was released on Wednesday, September 7, 2023.…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a buzzword anymore. It is a powerful technology that is reshaping the way we work, live and interact. AI can process vast amounts of data, make complex decisions, generate new content and provide novel insights. In this article, we will explore how AI is becoming a catalyst for business transformation and what are the challenges and opportunities ahead. AI adoption accelerated by the Covid…

A new investigation into start-up loans and businesses in the UK has revealed that Northampton has the highest percentage of start-up businesses among the 50 largest UK cities. The study, conducted by BusinessComparison, also found that almost 10,000 start-up loans were awarded to businesses during the 2022/23 financial year by the British Business Bank. Start-up loans decrease but still support thousands of businesses The study used data from the British…

The Australian Banking Association (ABA) has announced a proposed new Banking Code that would improve customer rights and safeguards in the banking sector. The new code, which has been submitted to ASIC for industry consultation, is expected to be implemented by July 2024. What are the main changes in the new code? The new code introduces several changes that are designed to enhance customer trust and protection in the banking…

Asian banks, led by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and DBS Group of Singapore, have raised $4.75 billion in US dollar bond markets in separate transactions, according to term sheets seen by Reuters. The deals came amid a surge of bond issuance in the US by global investment-grade-rated companies, as some investors switched to buying top-rated corporate debt offering higher yields than those on government bonds. CBA Issues Three…

The hospitality sector has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with travel restrictions, lockdowns, and social distancing measures affecting millions of businesses and workers worldwide. However, some business students are not deterred by the crisis and are preparing themselves for the opportunities and challenges of this dynamic industry. Learning from the pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities and strengths of the hospitality sector, as…

Users unable to access the site for several hours Moneyweb, a South African media company that produces independent, high-quality investment information and business news, experienced a technical glitch on its website on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. Users who tried to access the site were greeted with a message that said “Just a moment…” and a spinning wheel, but the site never loaded. The problem started around 10:00 am local time…

Bord na Móna, the Irish semi-state company that has transitioned from peat harvesting to climate solutions and renewable energy development, is looking for new, ‘green innovators’ in Offaly to apply for the ‘2024 Accelerate Green programme’. The programme is open to SMEs, early-stage companies and start-ups in the sustainability sector and aims to help them scale their business and contribute to the fight against the climate crisis. Accelerate Green: A…