Also in the news...
Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)
For visa or citizenship applications, you may need to prove your knowledge of English by passing a secure English language test (SELT).
UK and Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership arrangement
The Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) sets out the UK and Nigeria’s priorities for future discussion and cooperation.
Export to the UK: guidance for African businesses
Find out about UK markets and sectors, trade agreements, UK import regulations and taxes, and support for African businesses from the UK government.
Guidance Start exporting to Africa
Find out about market opportunities, trade partnership agreements, support from the UK government, and export regulations and taxes in African countries.
Guidance Start investing in African businesses
Find out about investment opportunities and support from the UK government. Learn how to manage risk, invest ethically, and access guidance on African countries.
FedEx Marks European Growth Milestone
FedEx Express has reached a significant milestone in its European growth programme – which has involved business expansion and acquisitions and started in October 2011 – by opening its 100th new station in Seville, southern Spain.
Reaching this milestone means that FedEx opened the equivalent of nearly one new station per week over the last 30 months.
As a result of the FedEx growth programme, over 3,600 team members have been added across Europe and intra-country services have been rolled out in 13 countries. The landmark announcement comes as FedEx unveils phase two of its business plan for Europe.
David Binks, FedEx Express President EMEA, said: "Over a hundred new stations added across Europe means more local expertise, more local access to global markets and more business solutions. We’ve accomplished our mission to lay the foundations for our growth programme. Now it's time to take our business to the next level."
A New Chapter Announced
FedEx Express has launched the second phase of its European growth programme – to go beyond physical infrastructure investments and focus on optimising all the capabilities that are now in place.
Binks continued: “FedEx has been innovating and capitalising on market trends for over 40 years – it’s in our DNA. With an improving European outlook, our expanded network and new capabilities, we are in an ideal position to provide more solutions for our customers, backed by the renowned FedEx commitment to quality and customer experience. Ultimately, we want FedEx in a position of trust with our customers – where we move beyond services and into solutions to help them realise their own business aspirations.”
FedEx customers in Europe are benefiting from more localised connections to 90 per cent of the world’s GDP within just one to two business days. As with all other FedEx stations already operating in Europe, this expansion gives businesses across Europe access to a wide range of services, including FedEx Express next-business-day deliveries to and from Europe or in two days for main intercontinental destinations (FedEx International Priority®) as well as economy services at competitive rates to Europe, North America, Latin America or Asia (FedEx International Economy®). Coupled with the new intra-country services, FedEx is offering a one stop shop for businesses to effectively reach both local and international markets.
This landmark in the FedEx growth programme comes as current data indicate that Europe’s economy is showing positive signs of recovery in the aftermath of the financial crisis. According to forecasts from the European Commission, GDP will expand by 1.5% in 2014 and by 2.0% in 2015 across the EU 28. In the final three months of 2013, the eurozone economy grew by 0.3% – up from 0.1% growth in the previous quarter (Eurostat).