A new year looms large for the business community – but what will it bring?
Recent economic data has boosted confidence levels within the private sector, with the economy expanding by 0.9 per cent during the third quarter of the year.
Should this positive trend continue into the final three months of 2012, companies should really be able to hit the ground running in the new year.
Employment rates have risen to record levels in the UK, and retailers are benefitting from the Christmas rush and December sales at present.
For the first time in a good long while, hopes are high that a sustainable economic recovery could be on the way.
Much rests on the success of the services and manufacturing sectors – if they can continue to make measured progress, there could finally be light at the end of the tunnel.
But there is still plenty more the government can do in 2013 to help entrepreneurs and small business owners.
We need to see the Business Bank up and running as soon as possible, to provide another credit line to growing companies.
If firms are unable to lend, there is a risk that viable enterprises could go to the wall, and the economy will spiral downwards once again.
The coalition also needs to stick to its guns on issues such as red tape and fuel prices, giving small businesses every possible chance of success in 2013.
Posted by the Secret Businessman