Due to a water shortage, the Panama Canal is currently only partially passable. Find out here what consequences this has for container shipping, how supply chains are suffering from this disruption in global trade and what consequences can be expected for consumers.

The African continent offers great potential for UK companies, with digitalization and green energy being its main economic growth factors. Here you can find out more about the African market and how to find help with procurement.

German trade with Eastern Europe remains strong - despite the war between Russia and Ukraine: in 2022, exports to the 29 members of the German Eastern Business Association (OAOEV) rose to 562 billion euros (442 billion GBP). This is a 12% increase compared to the previous year. In 2023, however, this trend could be reversed.

The recent past has demonstrated the EU’s vulnerability to international crises. One focal point was the weakening supply of semiconductors. The aim of the EU Chips Act is to ensure increased future production of semiconductors in the EU.

The European Commission has drawn up a proposal for a law called the EU AI Act, which aims to regulate the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI). The core element is classification of risk, including a ban on certain types of AI.

Elements of social media networks have found their way into almost all companies. Many possibilities are available from a closed intranet to collaborating on projects together online. The advantages: Employees can better exchange ideas and their sense of togetherness is strengthened.

Under the European gas price cap, no more gas may be purchased if it exceeds a certain price limit. This has drawn criticism in many places. Companies, however, benefit from the German government's gas price brake. Find out to what extent here.

The switch in the transport of goods from road to rail is desirable from an environmental perspective. There is now a model project which is supposed to facilitate booking combined forms of transport with different carriers.
 

It's not easy to convert a good idea into a successful business model. Founders have to consider many relevant aspects to avoid failing early with their start-up. Please read below what the eight steps of primary importance are.
 

It could be worse, yet the industry mood is not bright: the actual growth rate is close to zero. The five most important machine engineering trends demonstrate how companies can respond to the time of crisis.
 

First it was lockdowns, now it's horrendous infection figures in China that are causing unrest in European companies. Experts see new risks emerging for supply chains. Current economic figures seem to prove them right. Find out what the situation will look like in early 2023 here.

With the introduction of the German Supply Chain Act, large German companies could be held liable if their suppliers damage the environment or ignore human rights. The EU wants to tighten the law at European level.
 

What's next for the UK and EU from an economic perspective? The forecasts for 2023 are bleak. According to experts, economies will fall into recession. The UK is performing particularly badly.
 

You buy a smartphone that collects hundreds of private data about you and how you live. The last thing you want to worry about is the security of your information. Everyone's desire, whether private individuals or companies, is that their devices work as promised and that the safety of their personal information is ensured.
 

U.S. entrepreneur Donald John Trump was the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Modesty has never been one of the virtues of the New Yorker born in 1946. Trump likes to flirt with his alleged good 10 billion dollar fortune. But what exactly does "The Donald" do to earn his money? And what picture of his financial situation emerges from his reluctantly disclosed tax returns?
 

Today, companies are confronted with rapidly changing conditions. Agile project management is well suited to respond with flexibility to new situations and challenges in a volatile environment. You can find out more about the principle behind it and why it is important right now.
 

The purchasing and logistics industry has grown used to being in a state of emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and inflation have all been key topics in 2022. But the upheaval of the past few years has also given way to a reassuring realisation: companies have learnt that they can cope in times of crisis. This is clearly apparent in the 2022 review.
 

According to the latest BME survey “Sustainability in Procurement,” companies do not currently view sustainability as a top priority. Ongoing fallout from the pandemic and geopolitical unrest are instead front and centre. You can read more about this here.
 

As in the previous year, Christmas business is affected by supply bottlenecks. While the effects of the Corona pandemic were previously responsible for disrupted supply chains, the reasons have now become more complex.

Soccer now plays an important role as an economic factor. TV broadcasters, sponsors, breweries, the logistics industry, the advertising sector and ultimately also the government, all profit from it. However, how powerful is soccer when it comes to its impact on industrial sectors and thus the economy overall?
 

Gifts for business partners should bring cheer and strengthen business relations. However, you will have to comply with some tax regulations. You must also avert suspicions of bribery. Find out here how to make gift-giving unproblematic.
 

On Black Friday, consumers can look forward to extreme discounts on many products. However, even companies in the business customer segment should not ignore this day of promotions. Below, you will learn about the options available to the B2B segment.
 

Wood has been in short supply around the world for quite some time, yet a significant share still goes into international trade and exports. 
 For many companies, this adds extra pressure as supply chains slow down and prices continue to climb. At the same time, sustainable alternatives are moving into the spotlight. 
 Here’s a look at the options consumers and businesses already have and how they can adapt to the changing wood market.  

International crises have led to a change in supply and demand on the market, which is reflected in a sharp increase in the price of energy and raw materials. The result is high inflation, the consequences of which are also causing tremendous problems for UK companies. Although they have no control over the causes, there are several internal actions they can take to counteract inflation.
 

Telephone conferences quickly meet their limits when it comes to meetings, presentations or job interviews - online meetings are completely different. These do not only reduce the costs of travel, accommodations or the organization of meetings. Virtual meetings frequently make departmental cooperation at a distance more productive and provide the basis for more attractive work models, such as working from home. You can find a list of popular tools for online meetings here.
 

In 2022, europages is celebrating its 40 year anniversary – and it has come a long way since its inception. In our interview, Sandra Yönter, Managing Director at Visable International, the provider of europages, reflects on the brand’s history and tells us what’s in store for Europe’s leading B2B platform.
 

In 2022, the largest European B2B procurement platform europages and the leading B2B platform in the DACH region wlw (formerly "Wer liefert was") will celebrate their anniversaries. Two good reasons to pause for a moment and take a look at the history of purchasing and procurement.
 

The corona pandemic experiences demonstrate the potential fragility of supply chains The deployment of digital technologies is recommended to respond to these risks more effectively. The Gartner Report takes a look ahead and shows the 8 IT trends that will dominate the management of supply chains.
 

According to the Ofgem 2022 Supply and Retail Market research, the gas and energy price has seen a 250% increase in the United Kingdom from January 2021 to January 2022. It is also estimated that by April 2022, household energy prices will increase by 54%. This trend isn’t exclusive to the UK, with many other European countries experiencing a similar trend. In Germany, wholesale electricity prices tripled in 2021 while other European countries including Poland, France, Italy and Spain are experiencing energy bills at an all-time high.
 

Spain is a major global exporter.  From its gastronomic products, footwear and fashion items to its technological innovation, Spain positions itself as a key supplier for exporting to neighboring countries and other continents. Through europages' vast network, we have identified the sectors most in demand by European importers seeking Spanish products and services.