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On 12 September, on the occasion of his State of the Union Address, President Jean-Claude Juncker said: “Africa does not need charity, it needs true and fair partnership. And we, Europeans need this partnership just as much. Today, we are proposing a new Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs between Europe and Africa. This Alliance, as we envision it, would help create up to 10 million jobs in Africa in the next 5 years alone. I believe we should develop the numerous EU-African trade agreements into a continent-to-continent free trade agreement, as an economic partnership between equals.”

The European Commission is proposing a new ‘Africa – Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs’ to substantially boost investment in Africa, strengthen trade, create jobs, and invest in education and skills. Today’s package builds on the commitments taken during the African Union – European Union Summit which took place in November last year in Abidjan, where the two continents agreed to strengthen their partnership. It sets out the key strands of action for a stronger economic agenda for the EU and its African partners.

High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini said: “Europe and Africa share many of the same interests: we both want a stronger Africa – with quality jobs for its youth, a better business climate, and peace and security for all. In these years we have started to build a real partnership of equals with Africa. We are already strong political partners, the next step is to be true economic partners and deepen our trade and investment relationship. We want to give young people opportunities to achieve their aspirations. Boosting responsible investment in Africa is a win-win for both sides.”

Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica said: “This Alliance is about unlocking private investment and exploring the huge opportunities that can produce benefits for African and European economies alike. It is about stepping up our partnership and putting our weight behind African initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.”

Today’s proposal shows commitment to reinforce the Africa-EU Partnership and outlines a series of key actions that include:

boosting strategic investment and strengthening the role of the private sector, notably through increased de-risking of investment projects via blending grants and loans, and guarantees;
investing in people by investing in education and skills, at continental and national level to strengthen employability and match skills and jobs, also including scholarships and exchange programmes, in particular through Erasmus+;
strengthening business environment and investment climate, in particular by strengthening the dialogue with African partners and supporting their reforms in this field;
tapping the full potential of economic integration and trade: building on the African Continental Free Trade Area implementation, the long-term perspective is to create a comprehensive continent-to-continent free trade agreement between the EU and Africa. To prepare this, Economic Partnership Agreements, Free Trade Agreements including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas on offer to the countries of North Africa, and other trade regimes with the EU should be exploited to the greatest extent, as building blocks to the benefit of the African Continental Free Trade Area;
mobilising an important package of financial resources, as reflected in particular in the ambitious proposal for the future Multi-Annual Financial Framework of the EU on external funding, where Africa is highlighted as a priority region.
Expected results

The Alliance will lead to concrete results such as the creation of up to 10 million jobs in the next 5 years. With EU financial support mobilised by 2020:

35,000 students and academics from Africa will benefit from Erasmus+ by 2020. A further 70,000 will benefit by 2027, reaching a total of 105,000 in ten years.
750,000 people will receive vocational training for skills development.
30 million people and companies will benefit from access to electricity thanks to the EU’s leveraged investment in renewable energy and a boosted generation capacity by 5 GW.
24 million people will have access to all season roads through our leveraged investment in transport infrastructure.
3.2 million jobs in Africa are expected to be created under the External Investment Plan just by the Investment Programmes focussed on small and medium-sized enterprises.
With a guarantee of €75 million, a single investment programme from the External Investment Plan will generate 800,000 jobs.
Consultation and dialogue with African partners will be organised in the coming months to jointly define priorities and take further action. The Alliance will take into account the diversity across the African continent and the specificities of each country, including the contractual relations of the Northern African countries through their Association Agreements and their experience of co-operation with the EU through the European Neighbourhood Policy.

Background

The Commission’s proposal for an ‘Africa – Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs’ is part of a package which also includes a proposal for a more efficient financial architecture for investment outside the European Union, which will also support further investment in Africa.

Under President Juncker’s leadership, the EU has been strengthening its partnership with Africa, including with new innovative tools, on top of traditional cooperation instruments, notably the very ambitious External Investment Plan.

The EU is Africa’s closest neighbour and biggest investor, the main trading and development partner and a key security provider. The EU is providing €31 billion in Official Development Assistance to Africa between 2014-2020 to boost Africa’s economy to give young people in the continent a chance to build a future, to ensure food security and access to energy, and to anchor good governance and respect of human rights. The EU’s Member States held an investment stock of €291 billion in 2016, making the EU the biggest investor in Africa. The EU also offers free access to the EU market via Economic Partnership Agreements, Free Trade Agreements including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with the countries of North Africa and the Everything But Arms scheme with African countries.

Hilliard, OH – September 7, 2018… BMW Group Financial Services in the U.S. announced today the selection of six startups for the first-ever BMW Financial Services Collaboration Lab. The start-ups will now undertake a 10-week lab at BMW Financial Services’ offices in Hilliard, Ohio, to further develop their ideas alongside leading subject matter experts in the automotive and financial sectors.

The Collaboration Lab accelerator program provides entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses in fintech and other fields with the opportunity to partner with BMW Group Financial Services to develop, and then realize, innovative solutions and game-changing new technologies that can ultimately benefit consumers, dealers, and partners.

From a total 212 applications, selected domestic and international start-ups were invited to pitch their ideas live to a panel of judges from BMW Financial Services, BMW of North America, and L Marks. The panel selected these six startups to join the 10-week Collaboration Lab program:

Category: Digitizing the Customer Journey
Startup: carLABS – carLABS has created a cognitive, conversational AI-powered platform for automating and enhancing sales and marketing in the automotive vertical. Its solution offers car buyers a dramatically simplified shopping experience that significantly increases conversions and return on marketing spend for car sellers.

Category: Building a Blockchain Strategy
Startup selected: Supermoney – Supermoney is developing a unique digital wallet. In-store and online, customers can pay with a simple QR scan. The product runs on a system of smart contracts that effectively and efficiently manage counterparty risk, protecting both buyer and seller.

Category: Building a Blockchain Strategy
Startup selected: Bloom – Bloom uses public-private key encryption underpinning blockchain technology to verify customer identity and to attest to the accuracy of credit history without storing customer raw data on the servers.

Category: Data Analytics and Insights
Startup selected: Omniscience – Omniscience Corp. are building underwriting and capital modeling solutions on top of their innovative analytics platform. They work with finserv and insurance firms to scale their analytics efforts on real world data.

Category: Data Analytics and Insights
Motion Auto Insurance – Motion Auto Insurance is modern insurance for the modern world. Fully programmatic, embeddable, insurance-as-a-service delivered from directly inside your mobile app for gig/sharing economy, new modes of vehicle ownership, and autonomous driving tech.

Category: Wildcard
Startup selected: Wrisk USA – Wrisk is giving personal insurance a long overdue digital upgrade. It allows its customers to manage different types of insurance seamlessly through a single app and helps them understand how they are priced and what they can do to reduce their risk.

“We welcome these talented entrepreneurial companies into the BMW Financial Services Collaboration Lab program, said Ian Smith, CEO of BMW Group Financial Services USA and Region Americas. “As we work together over the next 10 weeks, we will explore new technologies and solutions for our business and our customers.”

During the intensive 10-week program, the selected companies will be situated in a collaborative environment, and will benefit from access to the company’s leadership team, industry experts, investment professionals, and business education programs. L Marks will also provide fundraising support. “The next 10 weeks will see these impressive startups embark on an exciting journey to bring their ideas to life, and see them benefit enormously from their time in the Lab,” said Stuart Marks, Chairman of L Marks.

For more information about BMW Collaboration Lab 2018 and its participants, visit www.bmwcollaborationlab.com.

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BMW Group Financial Services
BMW Group Financial Services was established in the U.S. in 1992 to support the sales and marketing of BMW products. Since then, the Group has expanded to provide service to markets in multiple countries and continues to evolve beyond its role as a captive finance unit. BMW Group Financial Services offers a wide range of leasing, retail and commercial financing and banking products tailored to meet the needs of the BMW customer. The Group also provides financing to BMW dealers for expanding dealership capabilities and enhancing overall operations. With more than $45 billion in serviced assets and 1,300,000 automotive lending customers across the U.S., BMW Group Financial Services finances more than three-quarters of the BMWs sold or leased in North America. BMW Group Financial Services employs more than 1,000 people, including consultants and service providers, many of whom are located in the Hilliard, Ohio, which serves the U.S.A., Brazilian, Canadian and Mexican markets through its Regional Service Center.

In 2001, the MINI Financial Services division was established to provide support for the brand’s dealers and its customers by offering financing and leasing options and branded financial services products.

BMW Group Financial Services also offers credit card products through its subsidiary, the BMW Bank of North America. up2drive.com is a division of BMW Bank of North America, a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW Financial Services NA, LLC. BMW Insurance Agency, Inc., a property and casualty producer is also part of BMW Group Financial Services. Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:

www.bmwgroupna.com
www.bmwusa.com
www.bmwmotorradusa.com
www.miniusa.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

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BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; Design works, a strategic design consultancy based in California; technology offices in Silicon Valley and Chicago, and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 and X4 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 344 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 153 BMW motorcycle retailers, 127 MINI passenger car dealers, and 36 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW products is available to consumers via the Internet at:
www.bmwusa.com.

# # #

Journalist note: Information about BMW and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com.

# # #

L Marks
L Marks are specialists in applied corporate innovation and early stage investors. Working with some of the world’s most high-profile brands, including BMW, Arsenal FC, and Lloyd’s of London, they create bespoke partnership and scouting projects to turn business challenges into opportunities for improvement and innovation. Founded in 2012 by serial entrepreneur Stuart Marks, L Marks builds bridges between corporates seeking to innovate and young companies with disruptive technologies.

MILWAUKEE — (NYSE: MAN) ManpowerGroup today announced that Darryl Green has decided to retire as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective August 31, 2018, due to family health issues. Green, 58, has been with ManpowerGroup since 2007 and has been a member of the Executive Leadership Team for the past eleven years. Prior to his appointment as Chief Operating Officer in 2014, Green was President, APME and Northern Europe.

“Darryl is an exceptional leader in many ways. He has always delivered strong business results in all the roles he has held and leaves us with a legacy of improved commercial processes, operational excellence and the focus on continuous improvement,” said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chairman & CEO. “We have benefitted from his outstanding business acumen and experience and the foundations he has helped create for our accelerated performance and progress. I want to thank him for his many contributions in making the company stronger and even better prepared for continued success.”

The company does not intend to appoint a successor COO. Chairman and CEO Jonas Prising will assume the responsibilities of this role.

About ManpowerGroup ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower®, Experis®, Right Management® and ManpowerGroup® Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across 80 countries and territories and has done so for 70 years. In 2018, ManpowerGroup was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the ninth year and one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies for the sixteenth year, confirming our position as the most trusted and admired brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup is powering the future of work: www.manpowergroup.com

MILWAUKEE, Technology is rapidly transforming organizations and companies will need more people in the near-term to meet the demand stimulated by automation, not less, according to ManpowerGroup (NYSE:MAN). The new report — Robots Need Not Apply: Human Solutions in the Skills Revolution — surveyed 2,000 U.S. employers and found that 91% will maintain or increase headcount in the next two to three years as industries shift to more advanced, automated processes. The report provides a real-time view of the impact of automation on headcount, the functions most affected and the soft skills that are both of greatest value and hardest to find.

“Digitization will impact every industry in the U.S. creating new jobs that require different skills,” said Becky Frankiewicz, ManpowerGroup North America President. “Our research shows this is good news for people, provided they are ready to upskill and reskill for a world of work that is more digital and fast paced than ever before. Savvy employers are helping workers succeed by identifying skills adjacencies – those skills that are closely connected and can be adapted to new roles – and by offering people the chance to earn and learn with shorter bursts of on-the-job, experiential training. At ManpowerGroup we’re doing just that. Our MyPath program provides people with career guidance and opportunities to learn in-demand skills at no individual cost so they can move up and earn more. We’ve seen the proof that with the right blend of technical and soft skills, America’s workforce will augment rather than compete with technology.”

Frontline and Customer-Facing functions anticipate the most growth as organizations place higher value on customer service and human interaction. Manufacturing and Production functions are close behind. Back-office functions that are routine or add less value to customer interactions are under greatest threat as organizations implement new technology to drive efficiency. In this Skills Revolution the best blend of high-tech and high-touch will be the combination of human strengths with technical and digital know-how: 61% of companies say communication skills, written and verbal, are their most valued soft skill followed by customer service, collaboration and problem-solving.

To download Robots Need Not Apply: Human Solutions in the Skills Revolution: visit https://www.manpowergroup.us/campaigns/manpower/skills-revolution-2/.

ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower®, Experis®, Right Management® and ManpowerGroup® Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across 80 countries and territories and has done so for 70 years. In 2018, ManpowerGroup was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the ninth year and one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies for the sixteenth year, confirming our position as the most trusted and admired brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup is powering the future of work: www.manpowergroup.com

MILWAUKEE, ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the world leader in innovative workforce solutions, today announced that it plans to release 1st quarter earnings results before the market opens on Friday, April 20, 2018. Management will discuss the results the same day in a live webcast at 7:30 a.m. CDT (8:30 a.m. EDT), which can be accessed on the company’s website.

The webcast will be available for replay at the same URL beginning at 10:30 a.m. CDT (11:30 a.m. EDT) on April 20th. The replay will remain available for 30 days in this location. Supplemental financial information referenced in the webcast and the text of the 1st quarter press release can be found on the company’s website, in the section titled “Financial Information,” after 7:30 a.m. CDT on April 20, 2018.

About ManpowerGroup
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower®, Experis®, Right Management® and ManpowerGroup® Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across 80 countries and territories and has done so for 70 years. In 2018, ManpowerGroup was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the ninth year and one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies for the sixteenth year, confirming our position as the most trusted and admired brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup is powering the future of work: www.manpowergroup.com

Washington – This week, the U.S. Small Business Administration received a report from its Inspector General on loans made to poultry farmers. The report focuses on 11 loans that were made from FY 2012 – FY 2016 and, by extension, questioned whether the remaining 1,500 poultry loans made during that five year period met SBA’s eligibility requirements. The SBA has reviewed those 11 loans, and confirmed that they were correctly made in accordance with Agency policy at the time. The loan guarantees will continue to be honored for those and other similar poultry loans. As always, SBA loan guarantees are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

Small business loans are at the core of the SBA mission, and the Agency is examining the policies and procedures around poultry loans to ensure SBA loans continue to be directed towards those small businesses most in need of assistance.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and is a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses, and recover from disasters. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. To learn more about SBA, visit www.sba.gov.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that more than $1 billion in low-interest disaster loans has been approved for 28,106 Puerto Rico residents and businesses recovering in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and María which struck in September 2017.

“Recovery for Puerto Rico has a long way to go. The SBA is still on the ground, making sure that island residents and businesses are getting the help they need to rebuild. The agency will continue its outreach to make sure those who need the help are aware of the long-term recovery assistance that’s available,” SBA Administrator Linda McMahon said. “Meanwhile, SBA mobile business recovery centers have visited all 78 Puerto Rico municipalities, with 4,500 business owners attending sessions to learn about SBA disaster assistance and get help with online disaster loan applications.”

The filing deadline for physical property damage disaster loan applications for Hurricanes Irma and María isMarch 20, 2018. The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications is June 11, 2018 for Hurricane Irma, and June 20, 2018 for Hurricane María.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and is a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses, and recover from disasters. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. To learn more about SBA, visit www.sba.gov.

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 200,000 in January, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent. Employment continued to trend up in construction, food services and drinking places, health care, and manufacturing.

Nonfarm business sector labor productivity decreased 0.1 percent during the fourth quarter of 2017, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, as output increased 3.2 percent and hours worked increased 3.3 percent. (All quarterly percent changes in this release are seasonally adjusted annual
rates.) From the fourth quarter of 2016 to the fourth quarter of 2017, productivity increased 1.1 percent, reflecting a 3.2-percent increase in output and a 2.1-percent increase in hours worked.

Unit labor costs in the nonfarm business sector increased 2.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017, due primarily to a 1.8-percent increase in hourly compensation. Unit labor costs increased 1.3 percent over the last four quarters.

BLS calculates unit labor costs as the ratio of hourly compensation to labor productivity. Increases in hourly compensation tend to increase unit labor costs, and increases in output per hour tend to reduce them.

Manufacturing sector labor productivity increased 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017, as output increased 7.3 percent and hours worked rose 1.5 percent. These were the largest quarterly increases in manufacturing sector productivity and output since the second quarter of 2010, when output per hour
increased 7.0 percent and output jumped 10.7 percent. Productivity increased 6.7 percent in the durable goods manufacturing sector and 4.5 percent in the nondurable goods sector in the fourth quarter of 2017. Over the last four quarters, total manufacturing sector productivity increased 1.1 percent, as
output increased 2.7 percent and hours worked increased 1.6 percent. Unit labor costs in manufacturing decreased 3.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017 and increased 1.1 percent from the same quarter a year ago.

The concepts, sources, and methods used for the manufacturing output series differ from those used in the business and nonfarm business output series; these output measures are not directly comparable. See the Technical Notes for a more detailed explanation.

Geneva, – According to Google Trends, the popularity of the phrase “sharing economy” has increased sixteenfold since 2013. But what is it? Sharing economy is often confused with overlapping terms such as the “collaborative economy”, “on-demand economy”, “gig economy”, “freelance economy”, “peer economy”, “access economy”, “crowd economy”, “digital economy” and “platform economy” – distinctions explored in our blog.

Sharing is an age-old concept. But the potential pool of people with whom to share is growing exponentially, as technology-enabled platforms connect and vouch for new members from around the globe. Cities can leverage the potential of the sharing economy in municipal goods, municipal spaces, civic assets, municipal services and skills and the talents of city residents.

“While sharing may often decrease the cost of access, it also has the potential to address long-term societal challenges such as making cities more inclusive and building social connections between groups that might otherwise never have interacted. In experimenting with sharing practices, however, cities will also have to be agile in addressing externalities and disruption to their planning processes, policy formulation and regulatory structures,” said Cheryl Martin, Head of Industries, World Economic Forum.

The paper, mandated by the World Economic Forum Future of Urban Development and Services Initiative Steering and Advisory Committee, explores opportunities and challenges of the sharing economy in cities by highlighting examples and solutions from cities around the world:

· Melbourne is a global leader in the food-sharing sector.

· Seattle has six “libraries of things” in lower- and mixed-income areas, where citizens can borrow tools.

· New York organization 596 Acres supports residents to reclaim and manage public land for communities.

· Barcelona is driving a time-bank project where people exchange their time for doing everyday tasks.

· London has a crowdfunding platform where citizens can propose project ideas and get City Hall’s support.

· Seoul now has 97 distinct sharing schemes, from public bicycles to parking spaces to children’s clothes.

· Kamaishi City is partnering with sharing platforms to prepare for hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

· Kigali motorbike taxi app SafeMotos uses smartphone data to distinguish safe from unsafe drivers.

· Amsterdam is connecting senior citizens and low-income households to sharing platforms via CityPass.

· São Paulo has implemented road-use fees to encourage transport network companies (TNCs) to complement public transit, limiting excess supply during peak hour congestion and augmenting supply when less served.

The paper also explores sharing-economy ideas that span multiple cities:

· “Co-City” protocol is exploring forms of shared, collaborative and polycentric urban governance.

· Sharing Cities Alliance organizes summits, seminars and a knowledge base for cities to draw on.

· Trust Seal is the first Kitemark for sharing-economy companies, proving they adhere to good practice.

“The sharing economy is making cities redefine land-use strategies, minimize their costs, optimize public assets and collaborate with other actors (for-profits, non-profits, social enterprises, communities and other cities) in developing policies and frameworks that encourage continued innovation in this area. This paper focuses on the drivers of sharing in a city and how cities can embark on the sharing journey,” said Gregory Hodkinson, Chairman, Arup Ltd and Chair of the World Economic Forum System Future of Urban Development and Services Initiative.

The sharing economy has its challenges – from establishing trust and reputation to ensuring safety and security, and dealing with the uncertain effects on social equality and limited inclusivity. As Hazem Galal, PwC Global Cities and Government Leader, said: “Regulatory and tax structures need to be revisited to address these concerns as sharing platforms begin to scale across different sectors of the economy. At the same time, developing a culture of sharing within cities to improve services with accountability and transparency would go a long way in shaping the ‘sharing cities’ of the future.”

The paper explores potential solutions to these challenges. It makes the case that sharing in cities can have a transformative impact – boosting the economy and nurturing a sense of community by bringing people into contact with one another, facilitating neighbourliness, and improving the environment by making the most efficient use of resources. Cities have a potential role in facilitating/enabling and harnessing the sharing business models by fostering partnerships that shape a “sharing and collaborative” culture across all industry sectors.

MILWAUKEE, — Employers globally are reporting positive hiring intentions as those in 41 of 43 countries forecast an increase in staffing levels in Q1 2018, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.

ManpowerGroup. (PRNewsFoto/ManpowerGroup) (PRNewsFoto/)

The strongest Outlooks globally are reported in the U.S., Japan, Taiwan and India. Employers in Australia, Japan, Norway, Romania and the U.S. are reporting the healthiest hiring plans in five years or more.

Outlooks among employers in Eastern Europe, and Greece outpace those in Western Europe. Employers in Austria and Italy report the weakest Outlooks across Europe and the globe while job prospects remain upbeat in Romania, Hungary and Poland. In Spain and Portugal, employers report more optimistic Outlooks year-over-year while in the UK, Germany and Belgium they report weaker (yet still positive) hiring intentions. In the UK, concerns over Brexit may be impacting employer confidence as the overall forecast dips to its weakest level since 2012.

View complete Q1 2018 survey results: www.manpowergroup.com/meos

“The first quarter of 2018 is looking bright for jobseekers with employment Outlooks improving in many markets,” said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chairman & CEO. “Employers across the globe and especially in the U.S, Asia Pacific and parts of Europe are positive across a number of sectors, and people with in-demand skills will find themselves in high demand. Employers will need to work hard to attract and develop people with the skills they need to remain competitive. As globalization and digital transformation impact different countries and industries at different times, upskilling and reskilling tomorrow’s workforce for available jobs will be critical for long-term employability. The future looks positive, providing we help people develop the skills they need to capture these opportunities.”

Of the nearly 59,000 employers surveyed across 43 countries and territories confidence levels have strengthened year-on-year in 25 countries and territories.

Global Hiring Plans by Region

EMEA: Staffing levels are expected to grow in 23 of 25 countries surveyed with flat labor markets in the remaining two.
Employers in Romania and Slovenia report the strongest hiring plans in the EMEA region.
German employers report strong hiring intentions in Finance and Business Services with employers in Frankfurt and Munich reporting the most optimistic Outlooks.
The Outlook in France remains modest, with employers in Finance and Construction reporting the biggest year-over-year headcount growth.
Asia Pacific: Employers expect staffing levels to increase in all eight countries and territories with hiring sentiment strongest in Taiwan. The most cautious Outlook in the region is reported in China.
Australia is forecasting the strongest labor market in more than six years with an Outlook of +14%.
Hiring confidence in Japan remains solid with employers reporting the most optimistic forecast since 2007. Hiring activity is strongest in Transportation and Utilities, and Mining and Construction sectors.
Hiring intentions in India improve for the second consecutive quarter following the country’s weakest historical Outlook from Q3 2017. Increased opportunities for job seekers are expected in all seven industry sectors and across each of the four regions.
Americas: Positive Outlooks are reported in all 10 countries surveyed. U.S. employers report the region’s most upbeat forecast, with more than one in every five surveyed saying they intend to hire in the January-March time frame.
U.S. employers report the strongest Outlook in ten years, driven by optimism in Construction, Manufacturing and Transportation and Utilities sectors.
Canada’s Outlook improves for the third consecutive quarter. Hiring intentions are the most optimistic reported since Quarter 4 2013.
Hiring in Mexico remains favorable despite uncertainties associated with ongoing NAFTA negotiations. Forecasts are positive in all industry sectors and regions with the strongest Outlooks reported by employers in the Manufacturing and Transport & Communications sectors.
To view complete results for the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, visit www.manpowergroup.com/meos. The next survey will be released 13 March 2018 and will report hiring expectations for Q2 2018.

*The Net Employment Outlook is derived by taking the percentage of employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting from this the percentage of employers expecting a decrease in hiring activity.

About ManpowerGroup
ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for over 400,000 clients and connect 3+ million people to meaningful, sustainable work across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis, Right Management and ManpowerGroup Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across 80 countries and territories and has done so for nearly 70 years. In 2017, ManpowerGroup was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the seventh consecutive year and one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies, confirming our position as the most trusted and admired brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup is powering the future of work: www.manpowergroup.com

MILWAUKEE, — ManpowerGroup U.S. (NYSE: MAN) has been awarded the EcoVadis Gold Recognition Level – the highest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rating available – for ethical and responsible employment and business practices, sustainable procurement and environmental management.

The average score across companies assessed by EcoVadis is 42.4 – ManpowerGroup U.S. scored well above the average at 64. There are now 12 ManpowerGroup countries worldwide to achieve EcoVadis Gold and Silver ratings.

“Doing well by doing good begins with ensuring we are best in class for our own business practices. This award demonstrates we do just that,” said Becky Frankiewicz, president of ManpowerGroup North America.”We believe sustainability starts at home. And it’s our people who make this happen. I am proud of the work our teams do every day to deliver on our purpose – that meaningful and sustainable employment has the power to change the world. This is how we will continue to create value for our clients and candidates.”

In order to certify CSR performance, EcoVadis, the world leader in the evaluation of supplier sustainability, takes an evidence-based approach usings 21 indicators aligned to international standards including the United Nations Global Compact Principles, International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, Global Reporting Initiative standards, the ISO 26000 standard, the CERES Roadmap, and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

To find out more about ManpowerGroup’s Sustainability Plan, visit doingwellbydoinggood.manpowergroup.com.

About ManpowerGroupManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for over 400,000 clients and connect 3+ million people to meaningful, sustainable work across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower®, Experis®, Right Management® and ManpowerGroup® Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across 80 countries and territories and has done so for nearly 70 years. In 2017, ManpowerGroup was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the seventh consecutive year and one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies, confirming our position as the most trusted and admired brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup is powering the future of work: www.manpowergroup.com

ROSELAND, NJ — 11/27/17 — ADP (NASDAQ: ADP) today announced that the Independent Inspectors of Election have certified the results confirming that shareholders have voted to re-elect all 10 of ADP’s highly qualified directors to the ADP Board of Directors including:

Non-Executive Chairman John Jones, former Chairman and CEO, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Peter Bisson, Director Emeritus, McKinsey & Company
Richard Clark, former Chairman, Merck
Eric Fast, retired CEO, Crane
Linda Gooden, former Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin
Michael Gregoire, Chief Executive Officer, CA Technologies
Glenn Hubbard, Dean of the Graduate School of Business, Columbia University
William Ready, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, PayPal
Carlos Rodriguez, President and Chief Executive Officer, ADP
Sandra Wijnberg, Executive Advisor and former Partner and Chief Administrative Officer, Aquiline Holdings LLC
The certified results confirm that each of Pershing Square’s three nominees — Bill Ackman, Veronica Hagen and Paul Unruh — did not exceed 20% of the vote from holders of A‎DP’s outstanding shares and did not exceed 25% of the shares voted at the meeting held November 7.

The results, certified by IVS Associates, Inc., were reported by ADP in an amended 8-K filing this morning.

About ADP (NASDAQ: ADP)
Powerful technology plus a human touch. Companies of all types and sizes around the world rely on ADP cloud software and expert insights to help unlock the potential of their people. HR. Talent. Benefits. Payroll. Compliance. Working together to build a better workforce. For more information, visit ADP.com.

HONG KONG & SINGAPORE — November 20, 2017 — Leading global investment firm KKR today announced the appointment of David Katz as Director and Head of Public Affairs in Asia Pacific.

Mr. Katz is responsible for managing KKR’s public affairs and external communications across Asia Pacific, as well as engaging government stakeholders and overseeing the consideration of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues throughout KKR’s investment process in the region. He will additionally help to support the public affairs and communications efforts of KKR’s portfolio companies.

He will report to Kenneth Mehlman, Member and Global Head of Public Affairs, and is based in Singapore. His appointment is effective immediately.

Mr. Mehlman said, “Constructive engagement with our stakeholders is more important than ever before given the increasingly complex business environment and the growing importance of environmental, social and governance considerations. We are pleased to welcome David and believe his expertise will be a tremendous asset to the firm as we look to build on our best business practices in Asia Pacific and in each market where we operate.”

Mr. Katz said, “KKR is world-class firm that works to create value in companies across asset classes globally, including here in Asia Pacific. I am extremely pleased to join KKR’s team in Asia Pacific at such an exciting time in the ongoing economic development of the region, and look forward to promoting KKR’s great work and that of its portfolio companies.”

Mr. Katz joins from PayPal in Singapore, where he served as Deputy Head of Global Government Relations and Head of Asia Pacific Government Relations. In that role, he managed PayPal’s global government engagements across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

Prior to PayPal, Mr. Katz was at eBay, where he managed Asia Pacific Government Relations for both eBay Marketplace and, at the time, PayPal. He previously served as a senior advisor in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (“APEC”) Secretariat in Singapore, and served in the Executive Office of the President for eight years as a staff member of the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”).

Before his time at USTR, Mr. Katz was a member of the U.S. diplomatic service and a special assistant to U.S. Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell.

Mr. Katz is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and received an MBA from the University of Edinburgh.

About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, credit and, through its strategic manager partnerships, hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside its partners’ capital and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

CAMBRIA, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $1,837,861 in fines against Didion Milling Inc. following a May 31, 2017, explosion that killed five workers and injured 12 others, including a 21-year-old employee who suffered a double leg amputation after being crushed by a railcar.

OSHA found that the explosion likely resulted from Didion’s failures to correct the leakage and accumulation of highly combustible grain dust throughout the facility and to properly maintain equipment to control ignition sources. OSHA cited Didion’s Cambria facility with 14 willful – including eight willful per-instance egregious– and five serious citations, most involving fire and explosion hazards. The company has been placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

“Didion Milling could have prevented this tragedy if it had addressed hazards that are well-known in this industry,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Ken Nishiyama Atha, in Chicago. “Instead, their disregard for the law led to an explosion that claimed the lives of workers, and heartbreak for their families and the community.”

The egregious willful citations were issued for violating OSHA’s Grain Handling standard by failing to perform required maintenance on operating equipment and implementing a housekeeping program to control dust accumulations. Willful citations were issued for failure to shut down ignition sources, prevent static electricity discharge, provide adequate personal protective equipment to employees, correct malfunctioning dust collection systems, maintain equipment safety controls, and have an emergency alarm system. Serious citations addressed hazards associated with fires and explosions, and the lack of employee training.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 15, 2017 — Technology combined with a personal approach is the top priority for job seekers finds new research from ManpowerGroup Solutions (NYSE: MAN). Swipe Right: Candidate Technology Preferences During the Job Search provides fresh insight from more than 14,000 people in 19 countries into application preferences and includes practical steps employers can take to attract and retain right-skilled workers.

Visit manpowergroupsolutions.com/candidatepreferences for detailed information on candidate preferences or to download the report, Swipe Right: Candidate Technology Preferences During the Job Search.

“In today’s tight labor market, the candidate has more authority than ever before” said Kate Donovan, Senior Vice President of ManpowerGroup Solutions and Global RPO President. “Attracting the brightest and best people into your organization needs to combine a high tech and high touch approach. The two are not mutually exclusive. Candidates’ application preferences and expectations for job searches are changing rapidly and businesses need to keep pace. Jobs are personal and relationships matter: technology can simplify the application process but should not replace personalization and the human touch.”

ManpowerGroup Solutions shares eight practical recommendations for employers including:

Be smart about the smartphone. Mobile applications may increase the amount of applications employers receive but organizations will achieve the right fit for the role through a personalized and candidate centric approach.
Look beyond traditional HR platforms and apps. It is easier to meet candidates where they already are rather than insisting they try something new.
Let a bot be a bot. The technology that an employer uses (or does not use) at every stage of the recruitment life cycle sends a powerful message about an organization and its values to candidates. Chatbots should be an extension of an employer brand and be open and transparent that they are bots. They should complement not replace human interaction.
Visit manpowergroupsolutions.com/candidatepreferences for detailed information on candidate preferences and to download the report, Swipe Right: Candidate Technology Preferences During the Job Search.

About ManpowerGroup SolutionsManpowerGroup Solutions provides clients with outsourcing services related to human resources functions, primarily in the areas of large-scale recruiting and workforce-intensive initiatives that are outcome-based, thereby sharing in the risk and reward with our clients. Our solutions offerings include TAPFIN-Managed Service Provider, Strategic Workforce Consulting, Borderless Talent Solutions, Talent Based Outsourcing and Recruitment Process Outsourcing, where we are one of the largest providers of permanent and contingent recruitment in the world. ManpowerGroup Solutions is part of the ManpowerGroup family of companies, which also includes Manpower, Experis, and Right Management. More information at www.manpowergroupsolutions.com.

About ManpowerGroupManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for over 400,000 clients and connect 3+ million people to meaningful, sustainable work across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower®, Experis®, Right Management® and ManpowerGroup® Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across 80 countries and territories and has done so for nearly 70 years. In 2017, ManpowerGroup was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the seventh consecutive year and one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies, confirming our position as the most trusted and admired brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup is powering the future of work: www.manpowergroup.com

NEW YORK– Representatives from KKR will ring the opening bell tomorrow morning at the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) to commemorate the listing of Corporate Capital Trust, a business development company (“CCT or the “the Company”). Eric Eversole, President of Hiring our Heroes, a program KKR supports that is dedicated to helping members of the military and their families, will join the Company in ringing tomorrow’s opening bell.

Following the bell, the Company’s common stock will begin trading under the ticker symbol “CCT” and the Company’s new investment advisory agreement with KKR Credit will become effective.

“The listing is a great milestone for CCT shareholders and the product of a very successful partnership between KKR and CNL,” said Todd Builione, the incoming CEO of CCT and President of KKR Credit and Capital Markets. “After the listing, shareholders will see an immediate benefit from reduced fees and the ability to control the liquidity of their holdings – while we expect CCT, as a listed vehicle, will have improved access to capital markets solutions and the ability to now reach institutional investors, among others.”

As of September 30, 2017, CCT had over $4.4 billion in total assets and investments in 105 portfolio companies, with 73% of the portfolio in senior secured investments. CCT’s portfolio companies are diversified across 21 industries. Since CCT’s founding, the Company has lent approximately $8.9 billion to over 450 companies.

Upon listing, CCT will be the largest business development company listed on the NYSE and the third-largest externally-managed listed business development company.

About Corporate Capital Trust
Corporate Capital Trust is a business development company that provides investors an opportunity to access the middle market direct lending opportunity. The Company is externally managed by KKR Credit and its investment objective is to provide shareholders with stable recurring income generation. The Company intends to meet its investment objective by investing primarily in the debt of privately owned companies, with a focus on originated transactions. For additional information, please visit corporatecapitaltrust.com.

About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including credit, private equity, energy, infrastructure and real estate, and, through its strategic manager partnerships, hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside its partners’ capital and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

Unemployment in the EU continues to fall, however more than one in four of the EU’s working-age population are economically inactive; meaning they are not working and are either not seeking work or are not available for work. Furthermore, the vast majority of economically inactive people would like to work in some form. Eurofound’s new publication Reactivate: Employment opportunities for economically inactive people looks in detail at what could be Europe’s most important economic resource.

The number of economically inactive people has been steadily declining in the EU in recent years: in 2015 it stood at 27.5%, down significantly from 31.4% in 2002, and less than the pre-crisis figure of 29.7% in 2007. However, this substantial section of the population remains outside the labour market, and is not included in official employment statistics. While employment policy tends to focus primarily on the unemployed, there is scope for policies to focus more explicitly on the labour market integration of inactive people, and to harness their economic and social potential.

The new report examines groups within the inactive population that find it difficult to enter or re-enter the labour market and explores the reasons why. It also maps the characteristics and living conditions of these groups, discusses their interest in taking up employment and examines the barriers that prevent them from doing so. It finds that around four out of five inactive people would like to work at least some hours per week, depending on their financial needs, and approximately half would like to work 32 hours or more. The desire to work is particularly strong among students and homemakers.

The report also looks at strategies currently being implemented by Member States to promote the inclusion of those outside the labour market. It highlights that inactive people often face more than one barrier to employment, such as a low level of education coupled with care responsibilities, and stresses the importance of focusing on the specific needs of the inactive population.

Finally, the report underlines that Member States should fully implement the 2008 European Commission Recommendation on the active inclusion of people excluded from the labour market in the design and implementation of labour market integration strategies. In this regard, the European Pillar of Social Rights, which refers to inactivity as an issue in relation to inclusive education and lifelong learning, provides a unique and timely political impetus.

2 November 2017 – A United Nations forum on sustainable development concluded today in Bahrain with a strong call for the integration of entrepreneurship and innovation in all economic and social dimensions as key strategies to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In particular, the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum (WEIF) 2017 -– having over 60 per cent of participants women – underscored the importance of the role of female entrepreneurs.

“We recommend for the active involvement of women in all sectors related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through entrepreneurship and innovation,” read the World Forum’s outcome declaration / communique.

The World Forum also called upon governments, the private sector, academia, civil society, media and international organizations to facilitate the work of entrepreneurs and innovators to ensure sustainable development.

Speaking at a press conference where the outcome – “Manama Declaration” – was unveiled, Miroslav Lajčák, the President of the General Assembly, also highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“We must offer better incentives to induce entrepreneurs and innovators to invest in SDGs [to] unleash and foster a dynamic private sector and ensure competitiveness,” he said, noting, in particular, the role of small and medium sized-enterprises, which often account for the majority of business activities at the national level.

Helping businesses get off the ground and sustaining them through their initial phases helps generate employment, income and economic growth
President of General Assembly Miroslav Lajčák
“Supporting [these enterprises] is a proven strategy to build a robust economy from the ground up [and] helping businesses get off the ground and sustaining them through their initial phases helps generate employment, income and economic growth,” added Mr. Lajčák.

Further in his remarks, the President of the General Assembly highlighted the importance of the means of implementation for sustainable development, and called innovative partnerships between all sectors.

In that context, Mr. Lajčák noted that, in mid-2018, he will be convening a high-level event on sustainable development financing to foster discussions among UN Member States and other stakeholders on the important subject.

Organized under the overarching theme of achieving the SDGs through promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, the World Forum saw participation of more than 1,000 government officials, entrepreneurs, representatives of international organizations, civil society and the academia from over 90 countries.

Briefing on the World Forum’s discussions and outcomes, Hashim Hussein, the Executive Secretary of WEIF 2017 and the head of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) in Bahrain, noted that participants stressed the need to build and strengthen partnerships between entrepreneurs – both women and men alike.

“[The World Forum] urged stakeholders to foster the private sector as the main engine behind economic growth, structural change and innovation [and] identified the pressing need to promote competitive micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as the main driving force for empowerment of women and youth,” said Mr. Hussein.

In his remarks, the head of UNIDO ITPO-Bahrain also underscored the importance of sound economic policies, legislation and programmes – as key elements of sustainable development – to ensure the empowerment of women at the national, regional and global levels.

Also at the press conference, Samir Aldarabi, the Director of the UN Information Centre in Manama, recalled the message of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the Forum, in which the Secretary-General said that “inclusive and sustainable industrial development will continue to be a key driver of progress as [the United Nations] supports Member States in this essential work.”

Looking ahead, Mr. Aldarabi informed that the World Forum will be held every two years in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, and that in 2020 it will be organized in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Also speaking at the occasion were the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for Bahrain, Amin El Sharkawi; and the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

Organized by UNIDO in partnership with the Government of Bahrain, the World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum 2017, held from 31 October to 2 November, saw key events on the Maritime-Continental Silk Road; addressing challenges faced by women in industry; global impact investing; recognition of men and women business leaders for their contributions to sustainable development; the Bahrain Entrepreneurs Exhibition; and a side event on implementation of SDGs in Bahrain.

Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement today at the conclusion of a visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

“It has been a great pleasure to visit Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where I had the privilege of meeting His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. We discussed the economic outlook and current policy developments in Saudi Arabia. I had fruitful discussions with the Minister of Finance H.E. Mohammed Aljadaan and Governor of the Saudi Monetary Authority (SAMA) H.E. Ahmed Alkholifey. I was also pleased to participate in the Future Investment Initiative conference, where I exchanged views with Saudi and global business leaders on economic policy priorities and new models for innovation. I was delighted to meet with Saudi women business leaders, researchers, lawyers and activists. We discussed the recent progress in strengthening women’s rights in Saudi Arabia as well as ways to further boost female labor force participation and entrepreneurship.

“Saudi Arabia had made good progress in initiating its ambitious reform agenda. Fiscal consolidation efforts are beginning to bear fruit. Progress with reforms to improve the business environment are gaining momentum, and a framework to increase the transparency and accountability of government is in place. Effective prioritization, sequencing, and coordination of the reforms is essential, and they need to be well-communicated and equitable to gain social buy-in to ensure their success.

“Fiscal adjustment is continuing, with the government containing expenditures and raising additional revenues. A large, sustained, and well-paced fiscal adjustment is needed in the coming years to continue to respond to the effects of lower oil prices on the budget. However, given the strong fiscal buffers, the availability of financing, and the current cyclical position of the economy, fiscal adjustment should be gradual.

“Saudi Arabia is also undertaking reforms to reduce constraints to women entering the workforce. These include subsidizing transportation and childcare costs, expanding the availability of childcare facilities, encouraging greater use of teleworking, and recently, deciding to allow women to drive. Additional incentives to female employment could include supporting female entrepreneurs through dedicated programs under the small and medium enterprise (SME) initiatives, and offering temporary fiscal incentives to help businesses build or reconfigure work spaces to accommodate women in line with social norms.

“I would like to thank the authorities for their generous hospitality.”

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration will celebrate veteran, service member, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouse entrepreneurs during National Veterans Small Business Week, Oct. 30-Nov. 3.

“Veteran-owned businesses are a critical pillar of the U.S. economy as they contribute more than $1.14 trillion to the nation’s annual total sales and receipts,” SBA Administrator Linda McMahon said. “Through entrepreneurship and business ownership, these veterans continue their service by not only contributing to the economy, but also by creating economic opportunities for other Americans. The moments that matter for veteran entrepreneurs matter to us as well, and SBA is proud to celebrate, honor, and support them.”

Throughout the week, SBA district offices, resource partners, and local communities across the U.S. will host local and virtual events focused on access to capital, federal and commercial procurement opportunities, and entrepreneurial training. From Boots to Business and Boots to Business Reboot courses to webinars and workshops, there will be various opportunities to participate in NVSBW 2017.

On Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. EDT, SBA will host a Twitter chat, “Business Tips for Veteran Entrepreneurs.” Tune in to the conversation by using the hashtag #MyVetBiz.

“From officially opening a business to making a revenue goal, there are so many moments that matter during a veteran’s entrepreneurship journey,” said Barb Carson, Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development. “This year’s NVSBW is such an exciting opportunity for SBA to celebrate these moments that matter while highlighting the ways SBA is here to support each incredible journey.”

NVSBW 2017 will also feature two events in Houston and Miami, respectively, focused on disaster assistance for local veteran-owned small businesses affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. At these events, SBA will connect VOSBs with local resources and share information on SBA’s disaster assistance program to help these companies rebuild, and develop a business continuity plan.

SBA encourages veterans, service members, Reserve and National Guard members, and military spouses to share the moments that matter during their journey in business ownership using #MyVetBiz, joining SBA and local stakeholders in the ongoing online conversation.

For more information about NVSBW, including events and ways to get involved, visit www.sba.gov/myvetbiz. For more information on the resources available for veteran entrepreneurs, visit www.sba.gov/ovbd.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012, has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. To learn more about SBA, visit www.sba.gov.