Tipp's in top shape for business health
THE healthiest county in the country for business is Tipperary, according to a new survey. The Experian Business Health Index for the Republic ranked the Premier County as the best for business conditions. Experian gave Tipperary a "business health index" of 89.
The lower the number, the better the conditions for business. Laois and Monaghan came second and third, while Galway came last, with a health index of 114 and 52.47pc of firms in the county classed as "high" or "maximum" risk. Dublin was ranked 10th while companies in Cork came 22nd.
Ireland declines in innovation ratings
EU data
IRELAND has dropped one place in a table of the European Union's most innovative members and now lags behind nine other countries. Newly published data from the European Commission shows that Sweden, Denmark and Germany respectively ranked as the EU's most innovative countries last year. While Ireland performed slightly better than the EU average in terms of innovation last year, it's still behind rivals such as the UK, Belgium, Finland and Holland.
Chinese demand boosts Yum! profits
RESULTS
THE company that owns the KFC fast food chain has again reported solid growth figures fuelled by demand in China. Yum! Brands has reported better-than-expected €356m profits for the fourth quarter of 2011, jumping 30pc from the same period last year. The company says the Chinese market is crucial to its success. "We opened a record 656 new restaurants and delivered extraordinary same-store sales growth of 19pc," said David C Novak, chairman of Yum! Brands.
Quinn's solicitor's instructions ended
Clarification
A story in yesterday's edition of the Irish Independent relating to the High Court case involving businessman Mr Sean Quinn and Anglo Irish Bank included a statement that solicitor Gavin Simons no longer wished to represent Mr Quinn. In fact, Mr Simons advised the court that his instructions had been withdrawn and he was applying to come off record for Quinn. We are happy to clarify this matter.
Irish Independent
