Blog debut for Bernard

• Tags:
• Global Transport Logistics Ltd
• North East Business Awards
• NorthStar Equity Investors

Posted by Marion Bernard on May 5, 2009 4:20 PM

As I make my blog debut I thought it best to start with some introductions! I am Marion Bernard, chief executive of venture capital firm NorthStar Equity Investors or as we often like to abbreviate - NSEI.

For those of you who don't know us, we specialise in funding and support for North East businesses in the innovation and technology sector through our two funds; the Proof of Concept (POC) Fund and Co-Investment Fund (CoIF).

If you would like to see more about the activities of NSEI please do visit www.northstarei.com.

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Time now to focus on a brighter future

• Tags:
• construction
• drilling rigs
• Tees Alliance Group

Posted by Jez Davison on May 12, 2009 9:41 AM

SeaDragon has gone... now the Tees Valley must move on.

While there is understandable anger over the decision to shift construction of two giant drilling rigs to Singapore, it makes little sense to dwell on it.

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The Budget: a raw deal for business

• Tags:
• banks
• Budget
• fuel duty

Posted by Jez Davison on May 13, 2009 7:56 AM

The Chancellor cocked his gun towards an expectant audience and pulled the trigger. But businesses were showered with hot air - and not a magic bullet in sight.

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Job stat's a good 'un

Posted by Ross Smith on May 13, 2009 2:23 PM

The employment statistics which were mistakenly released early yesterday appear to show fairly good news for the North East, as the only region to see a drop in unemployment.

But we're not getting too excited too soon by this, even though more people now seem willing to make whispers about green shoots.

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Thinking Digital

Posted by Andrew Mernin on May 13, 2009 5:14 PM

If last year's event is anything to go by, visitiors to the Thinking Digital conference at The Sage are in for a mind-blowing experience this week.

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Where did it all go wrong?

Posted by Andrew Mernin on May 22, 2009 10:59 AM

THERE'S been a lot of guff written in the national press this week about why Newcastle United's downfall could be down to the fantastical ambitions of the club's fans.

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Cooking on gas

Posted by Andrew Mernin on May 23, 2009 7:59 AM

Are you tired of the constant threat of losing your job as you are told the recession is about to bite even harder?

Here's the answer to all your problems....

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Reclaiming dignity and Reshaping destiny

• Tags:
• Big Lottery Fund
• donors
• Kigali COFTA
• President Kagame
• Rwanda
• Rwandan Producer Support Project
• Shared Interest Foundation

Posted by Andrea Wilkinson on May 27, 2009 10:31 AM

President Kagame the President of Rwanda gave a message to all Rwandans this week that the country needs to be truly independent, self-reliant, and self-sufficient:

"We have to graduate from being spoon-fed by donors and well-wishers and be ready to stand on our own feet. That is, indeed, the only way we can reclaim our dignity and truly shape our destiny."

And this is exactly what Shared Interest Foundation has been working towards as part of our Rwandan Producer Support Project funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

We aim to empower craft makers to lift themselves out of poverty rather than shower them with handouts. Over three years we are working with 50 craft organisations to train them in practical business, financial and environmental skills in order to take their business to the next level.

I am busy preparing for my next trip out to Kigali in order to assess our first year's work, interviewing craft makers, trainers and our project coordinator. I will be working with Joan Karanja, the regional director for COFTA (Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa) our project partner to evaluate the first year of training and plan for the next two years.

With that I am heading to the doctors to check if I am up to date with all my injections and to pick up malaria tablets, booking flights, accommodation and arranging meetings!

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The Hidden Gem on a Lonely Planet

• Tags:
• Africa
• Kenya
• Lake Kivu
• Lonely Planet
• Mountain Gorillas
• Parc National Des Volcans
• Parc National Nyungwe Forest
• Rwanda

Posted by Andrea Wilkinson on May 28, 2009 2:08 PM

Rwanda was voted among the "Top 10" tourism destinations in the world by Lonely Planet (2009), one of the world's leading travel guides. More often than not it is overshadowed by its neighbours Kenya and Tanzania - both firm favourites within the international tourist market. However are all those tourists visiting Africa missing out on the hidden gem that is Rwanda?

Rwanda is known to many Africans as the Switzerland of Africa, as the country's lakes - specifically Lake Kivu which reveals some of the best inland beaches on the continent - are breathtakingly beautiful. This country has a lot to offer tourists, namely the chance to experience a once in a life time opportunity to trek high up into the Parc National Des Volcans, where the majestic peaks of the Virunga six volcanoes sit proudly and hidden in the shade of a dense jungle. Here you will find the last remaining troops of Mountain Gorillas. But this is not the only chance you will have to get close to nature. In the country that is named 'a thousand hills' and where, if you head south, you will find Parc National Nyungwe Forest, there are plenty of other opportunities to spot a range of primates up close.

The craft makers that are part of our training programme are spread out across the whole country, so I have had the opportunity to see many of these sites for myself. The beauty of Rwanda and its people is astounding, and what they have achieved since the Genocide in 1994 is almost unbelieveable until you see it with your own eyes.

Our craft makers are extremely proud to be Rwandan and proud of the country that they live in....so if you are looking for somewhere different to visit this year, why not give Rwanda a go.

** http://www.lonelyplanet.com/rwanda

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The new kid on the blog

• Tags:
• Croft Technology

Posted by Phil Renton on May 29, 2009 4:05 PM

I have worked in the north east all my life and I have been Managing Director at Croft Technology - a Newcastle-based IT company - for over 20 years - so I was delighted when I was asked to write a blog for nebusiness.co.uk.

I have to admit that at first I was a little sceptical - do I really have enough to say to keep a blog going? Will people be interested in reading my view on the world? Will it turn into 'Renton's rant'?

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