Mizuho ready to deploy billions in capital aid to companies: CEO

Linda J. Dodson

TOKYO — As the coronavirus pandemic saps corporate finances, Mizuho Financial Group is prepared to provide billions of dollars to struggling businesses that need capital injections, the Japanese bank’s CEO Tatsufumi Sakai told Nikkei. Companies have so far focused mainly on raising working capital as shutdowns slash income. But longer-term goals remain on […]

Renault chairman says ready to produce Nissan cars in Europe

Linda J. Dodson

PARIS — The coronavirus pandemic has only highlighted the importance of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors alliance, Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard told Nikkei in an telephone interview Friday. The three carmakers, which struggled over 18 months to find common ground, finally announced on Wednesday a new strategy to cut investment costs per vehicle model by up to […]

Agile fintechs ready to rescue state-loan shambles

Linda J. Dodson

Firms facing a liquidity crunch will not have to pay any interest or fees for the first year. Lenders benefit from an 80pc government guarantee, meaning the taxpayer will step in to cover most of the shortfall if a borrower fails to repay. The scheme’s attractions will be worth nothing if companies […]

Farms ready to call up new land army

Linda J. Dodson

Britons have responded to calls for a new land army to help pick fruit and vegetables as harvest season nears.  Farmers in the UK, along with those on the continent, have been left scrambling to find enough workers in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Crops typically harvested by workers from eastern […]