Going out for nowt?

Article Abstract:

There is a plethora of grants and incentives available to UK businesses but only a few gain access to such financial resources. It is estimated that the British government alone offers more than 350 assistance programs. Financing schemes are also available from other sources, including local enterprise companies and local authorities. Despite this apparent abundance of financial support, the take up of grants remains low. The Dept of Trade and Industry reports that its Enterprise Initiative scheme, established in 1988 and due to end in 1994, attracted only 6% of eligible small and medium-sized firms. The reasons for this low number of grant applications are varied. These include ignorance of available grants, misconceptions about the grants, dismay with the selectiveness of the assistance schemes, and frustration with 'red tape.' Lists of financing schemes available in the UK and in Europe are provided.

Cover Story

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AIMS to match the objectives

Article Abstract:

The sheer number of grants and business incentives in the UK and in Europe has prompted the Stratchclyde University in Scotland to develop the AIMS database. A research conducted by the University's European Policy Research Center in the late 1970s revealed that a large number of British businesses were not aware of the existence of various funding sources available to them. With the AIMS, subscribing companies can access an on-line listing of financial incentives falling under three categories: industry, commerce and tourism; agriculture, forestry and fishing; and local assistance. This database is updated every day and is available to EPRC Ltd subscribers around the clock. The AIMS has a related database called 'Euroloc' which provides information on government assistance schemes offered throughout Europe.

Usage, Product/Service Evaluation, Information services, Databases, AIMS (Data base)

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On the fast tract to success

Article Abstract:

Livingstone Fisher (London, UK) Dir Ian Smith specializes in strategic reviews, divestments, and acquisitions of companies for his corporate finance firm, which is a subsidiary of the chartered accounting firm H W Fisher. Smith states that the corporate finance world has changed significantly since the bullish times of the 1980s, but there is still a demand for corporate finance expertise. Smith feels that UK corporations, though currently reluctant to make acquisitions due to the fact that many acquisitions in the past were overpriced, will begin to make acquisitions again that are sensible since organic growth cannot always meet a firm's needs.

Management, Acquisitions and mergers, Investment advisers, Smith, Ian (American physician), Livingstone Fisher, H.W. Fisher

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