Today it is exactly one year since I did my last international business journey abroad, after decades with weekly business travel. Days add to days in the new working normal in a pandemic world. Back-to-back online video meetings are followed by more online video meetings. Will this continue also in the Covid-19 post-vaccine world? …
The International Space Station bid adieu on Tuesday to 12 bottles of Bordeaux wine and hundreds of snippets of grapevines that has spent a year orbiting the world in the name of science. The bottles of French wine – each bottle nestled inside a steel cylinder to prevent breakage – have remained corked aboard …
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New trade hubs will channel the economic benefits of international trade directly into Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the North of England. Four major new trade and investment hubs will be established in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the North-East of England to boost trade and investment and level-up the country, the International Trade …
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told lawmakers Wednesday that the US-Mexico border is secure and repeated that it is “not open,” as the administration faces an ongoing influx of migrants. His appearance before the House Homeland Security Committee comes as the Biden administration struggles to accommodate the growing number of children crossing the US-Mexico …
The five Nordic countries dominate the 2021 edition of The World Happiness Report, which is supported by the UN and conducted by Analytics Researcher Gallup, which asked residents in 149 countries to measure their own happiness. Our neighboring country Finland tops the list for the fourth year in a row and together with Sweden, …
The Wall Street Journal writes that, winter storms and crammed ports in the U.S. add to disruptions of production and supplies during the pandemic. WSJ says, ”Everywhere You Look, the Global Supply Chain Is a Mess”. I don’t agree on all, but there are some interesting points here. Supply chain woes mounted world-wide for …
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Customs expert graduates with PhD aged 80. Doc Tom Walsh is a role model for us all. Life is about learning, learning is life. It is never too late for anything. Tom Walsh is an example to follow. I have had the fortune of meeting Tom in the past. It’s not every day that …
’Trade is the bridge between people’. I was asked about a key message for the future when visiting WTO HQ for meetings, pre-pandemic days. I still believe in the message and the future.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all my friends in Ireland and around the world!
Zlatan Ibrahimovic AC Milan is back in the Swedish national team after 4 years, 40 years old, for the next week World Cup qualifyers and the European Championship this summer. Sweden will be a challanger for the Euro title this year!
I have had fantastic mentors in my professional career , you know who you are. I have told you and I have also written a book with an entire chapter about you; Christer, Ingemar, Göran, Keith. I have also admired political leaders like Nelson Mandela and Ahmed Kathrada, who I also had the honor …
The £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund is now open for applications. The fund will help smaller businesses with changes to trade rules with the EU. Don’t miss this option. You find the requirements below. Smaller businesses can today (15 March 2021) apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help them adapt to …
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This morning the nominations for the 2021 Oscars Academy Awards were published. It is a uncertain year due to the pandemic. I will this year only predict two awards, Best Actor in a Leading Role will go to Sir. Anthony Hopkins for The Father. Best Film will go to either ’The Trial of the …
Former Australian Finance Minister Matthias Corman, has been elected Secretary General of OECD. This also means that the makn opponent for the post Swedish former EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström lost at the finish line. The Secretary-General of the Organisation chairs the OECD Council and heads the OECD Secretariat.
UK Government and Michael Gove/David Frost today announced a revised timetable for the implementation of the UK Border Operating Model (BOM) and the introduction of controls on the UK side. ”We are therefore announcing today a clear revised timetable for the introduction of controls, as follows: Pre-notification requirements for Products of Animal Origin (POAO), …
The WTO Committee on Trade Facilitation on 3 March adopted a roadmap for the first ever review of progress made in implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Under the Agreement, members committed to review the operation and implementation of the TFA four years from its entry into force, which was on 22 February 2017, …
For me every day should be an international womens’s day. From the first woman astronaut to the first woman to climb Mount Everest, in the past year, the world searched for “the first woman” more than ever before. Gender equality should be as natural as breathing. We are all huma beings.
Statement from UK HMG regarding David Frosts discussions with EU on a revised plan to find solutions for NIP. To read the text, click here: Lord Frost call with European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič: 3 March 2021
Former EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström is one of two remaining candidates in the fight to become the new head of the OECD, reports international media. Over the weekend, two of the finalists, Anna Diamantopoulou and Philipp Hildebrand, dropped out due to weak support among OECD countries. In addition to Malmström, Australia’s former finance minister …
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I found this shirt when doing some changes to our sons old childhood room onnour house. It was bought at Staples Center in connection with a Lakers game many years ago. He was my sons first favourite NBA player. Sent chills down my spine. 13 months ago. R.I.P.