North Korean cheese for France and the 20 quintillion € deal

Official EU public procurement database ridden with errors

The French organisation representing the national dairy sector ordering 300.000 € worth of cheese with a company based in North Korea. It may sound very unlikely, but this is exactly what an extract from the official European database on public procurement contains. A check of the database shows many errors...

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1 billion € public EU money awarded to Chinese companies

While it is next to impossible for European companies to win public tenders to deliver goods and services to Chinese public authorities, between 2006 and 2015 Chinese companies signed contracts worth more than 1 billion euros with European governments and public institutions. The UK, Italy and Romania each paid more than 200 million € to Chinese companies, predominantly for construction...

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The Netherlands and Indonesia: Is Dutch aid aimed at boosting flagging trade?

In 2013, Frans Timmermans, who was then the Dutch Foreign Minister, stated: “Indonesia is a growing economic power in the region. We have historical ties but our relationship has not developed by itself. We need to invest more in people-to-people contacts, political, economic and cultural ties.”

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Where the Netherlands spends its aid money - and which former colonies it focuses on

 

The Netherlands has spent almost €10bn on international aid over the last two decades, with former colonies being among the main recipients, according to new analysis.

Indonesia - a former Dutch...

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How Mugabe's business policies have impacted Zimbabwian trade

The Netherlands, small as they are, are one of the biggest trading partners to Zimbabwe. Their trade history reflects the history of the country and it's turbulent political landscape.

Zimbabwe's biggest trading partners by Amount

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Analysing the best time to go shopping in Galway City?

What is the best time to go shopping in the Headford Road area of Galway City to avoid the traffic? We examine Galway City traffic data and attempt to find out. The simple answer is... after lunch from 2pm onwards every day except Sunday. That is not to say that parking will be easily available at these times as many of the earlier shoppers will still be around. The worst time...

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Impact of replacing a roundabout with smart traffic lights in Galway City

In 2013 Galway City Council started work on a project to remove the infamous Headford Road (Bodkin) Roundabout and replace it with smart traffic lights connected to a central traffic management system. A key aim of this project was to improve traffic flow on the main national route (N6) running through the junction and over the Quincentenary Bridge.

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The Bakker Brothers case

'We are Bakker Brothers, an authentic seed company and very market-oriented. We are rooted in the seed business since 1928 and ready to meet your present and future needs!' So reads the welcoming message on the Bakker Brothers . Why would a company like this...

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