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.
ECONOMICS
Aegon loses boss of IFA business
THE head of the loss-making financial advice business at Aegon has left the life and pensions company ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/retail/textiles-firms-exploit-scots-heritage-to-sew-up-big-contracts-in-japan-1-2725208|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/economics|Read all today’s economics news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s economics news from scotsman.com}
ENERGY & UTILITIES
Oil veteran to raise $90m in Trinidad deal
AN OIL and gas exploration company led by a founder of North Sea-based Venture Production is raising $90 million (£56m) to finance development in Trinidad as it completes the reverse takeover of a rival firm ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/energy-and-utilities/oil-veteran-to-raise-90m-in-trinidad-deal-1-2725210|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/energy-and-utilities|Read all today’s energy and utilities news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s energy and utilities news from scotsman.com}
FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
Whisky tax ‘could benefit Scots’
A tax should be levied on each bottle of Scotch whisky to give its country of origin a greater share in its growing success, economic experts have said ({http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-20931496|BBC|BBC}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/food-drink-and-agriculture|Read all today’s food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com}
INDUSTRY
Interference fears for AG Barr merger
A PROMINENT shareholder of AG Barr has highlighted fears in Scotland about “significant interference” from the south following the Irn-Bru manufacturer’s merger with larger English-based rival Britvic ({http://www.heraldscotland.com/business/company-news/interference-fears-for-ag-barr-merger.19858821|Herald|Herald}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/industry|Read all today’s industry news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s industry news from scotsman.com}
MANAGEMENT
Textiles firms exploit Scots heritage to sew up big contracts in Japan
ScottiSh textile companies are tapping into export opportunities in Japan after two initiatives to showcase their fashion ranges netted £1.3 million in sales ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/retail/textiles-firms-exploit-scots-heritage-to-sew-up-big-contracts-in-japan-1-2725208|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/management|Read all today’s management news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s management news from scotsman.com}
RETAIL
Online sales prove crucial as Christmas delivers for Debenhams
DEBENHAMS was the pick of the bunch of another flurry of festive trading results yesterday, with the department store group the latest to hail its online performance as the star turn ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/retail/online-sales-prove-crucial-as-christmas-delivers-for-debenhams-1-2724238|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/retail|Read all today’s retail news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s retail news from scotsman.com}