Scottish Business Briefing – Wednesday 20 December, 2012 - Management

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Scottish Business Briefing – Wednesday 20 December, 2012

Investment increases for UK interests in the North Sea should boost the industry this year

Published on 20/12/2012 09:11

WELCOME to scotsman.com’s Scottish Business Briefing. Every morning we bring you a comprehensive round-up of all news affecting business in Scotland today.

ENERGY & UTILITIES

Scotland ‘will be poorer than UK’ as projections for oil and gas revenues plummet

AN INDEPENDENT Scotland would be worse off financially than the remainder of the UK as projections for oil and gas revenues plummet, a leading think tank has warned. The SNP government’s claim that independence will help protect Scotland from the worst of the austerity cuts from Westminster has also been thrown into doubt by the Centre for Public Policy for Regions. (Scotsman)

Read all today’s energy and utilities news from scotsman.com

ECONOMICS

Accountancy group under fire for research on audits

THE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland has come under fire after publishing research it said showed there was no conclusive evidence that the mandatory rotation of audit firms improves the quality of the checks they complete on company accounts. (The Herald)

Read all today’s economics news from scotsman.com

FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE

Scottish fishermen welcome EU talks outcome

Fishing industry representatives have welcomed the outcome of overnight talks in Brussels on EU fish conservation measures. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation said it ensured the Scottish whitefish and prawn fleets would not endure “unnecessary” cuts in days at sea. (BBC)

Read all today’s food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com

INDUSTRY

Weir buys US pressure control firm for up to $385m

Glasgow-based engineering group Weir has agreed to buy US firm Mathena for up to $385 million (£236.9m) to expand its growth in North America and other overseas markets. Along with an initial payment of $240m, Weir could pay a further $145m over the next two years, depending on Oklahoma-based Mathena meeting profit growth targets. (Scotsman)

Read all today’s industry news from scotsman.com

e-BUSINESS

Scottish shopping centres among those in new Google search deal

SHOPPING centre owner Land Securities has secured an exclusive tie-up with Google Product Search, enabling shoppers to find which stores stock products they want. The company believes the deal is an important development at a time when online shopping is becoming more habitual even for those visiting stores. (Scotsman)

Read all today’s e-business news from scotsman.com

RETAIL

Co-op opts for Euan Sutherland’s ‘DIY’ experience to fix bank expansion

FIX-it man Euan Sutherland is set to leave the world of DIY in a surprise move that will see the Scots-born executive take over the top job at Co-operative Group as it grapples with a major expansion of its banking business. (Scotsman)

Read all today’s retail news from scotsman.com

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Scottish Business Briefing – Wednesday 20 December, 2012

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