Denmark has won plaudits for rapid and decisive action to protect the nation from Covid-19 and is preparing a slow return to normality as a reward for its efforts.
The turning point for its suffering business owners can’t come soon enough.
Joachim Brix-Hansen, the co-president of homeware company Brix Design, has seen his orders slashed and two of his biggest customers file for bankruptcy.
Those still in business are often unable to pay for what they have ordered.
“They want to use us as a bank rather than paying what they owe us,” said Mr Brix-Hansen, who runs the business with his brother Christian. “We still have to pay our fixed costs as well as our salaries.”
The company, which makes goods ranging from an award-winning jar opener to lunchboxes, sells its products globally and the universal impact of coronavirus has hit hard.
Turnover is down by more than half. Two new additions to the 13-strong workforce have been laid off though Mr Brix-Hansen hopes to rehire them when the crisis passes.
In the meantime, his workforce has been split in two, working every other day at the company’s headquarters in Stege on the island of Møn, an hour’s drive from Copenhagen.
“We’ve had a big drop in sales and turnover,” said Mr Brix-Hansen. “Some companies have cancelled orders and campaigns. We have an economic crisis although not that many people in the country are sick.”
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced a lockdown of the country on March 11, earlier than other European countries, that saw schools, kindergartens and shopping centres closed – hitting the company’s bottom line.
Mr Brix-Hansen’s supply chain remains largely intact. Factories in Denmark have continued to produce and orders for other goods manufactured in China have been fulfilled despite some delays.
The problem is with the sales, particularly to neighbouring Scandinavian countries because of knock-on effects of the crisis, including a plunge in the global oil price.
“The Norwegian and Swedish currency has dropped to a very low level and that costs us a lot. Norway depends on the price of oil,” said Mr Brix-Hansen. The exchange rate volatility has seen the Danish company earn less from sales to its nearest neighbours.
“It’s a very sad situation, people getting sick and dying but it also costs a tremendous amount of money to shut down all kinds of businesses,” he said.
“The reason for the drop not being higher is all this financial support to companies. It’s essential to have support from the government but it’s not enough compared to the situation we face. I think there will be a lot of bankruptcies.”
The Danish government announced on Monday that it will partially open schools and kindergartens after Easter because of the success of its early lockdown, compared with other countries such as neighbours Sweden.
The mortality rate in Denmark, which has one of the world’s best healthcare systems, has been at 3.9 per cent, compared with 12.3 per cent in Italy and 10.2 per cent in the UK. Denmark will, however, keep its borders closed, ban large gatherings and keep restaurants, bars and cafes shuttered.
Despite the continued restrictions, almost 80 per cent of Danes have backed Ms Frederiksen handling of the crisis. The government announced a multi-billion kroner bailout package for companies that have lost 40 per cent of turnover to cover most of their fixed costs, plus staff support packages.
Its economic council predicted a contraction in GDP of only 3.5 per cent if output returns to normal quickly. The German economy was set to shrink by 9.8 per cent in the second quarter, according to a report from leading think tanks issued on Wednesday.
“Most people seem to support what the government is doing,” said Mr Brix-Hansen. “But if you own a company, you are suffering big time.
“I certainly hope they will start to open businesses and shopping centres. People have seemed to act in a good way, washing their hands and keeping their distances, and coughing into their arms.
“We have several planned [marketing] campaigns for the fall and Christmas. I hope those campaigns will not be affected.”
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: M'A Yaromoon, Jesus Rosales (jockey), Khalifa Al Neydai (trainer)
5.30pm: Khor Al Baghal – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: No Riesgo Al Maury, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Khor Faridah – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Mahmouda, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AS Jezan, George Buckell, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
7.30pm: Khor Laffam – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
Winner: Dolman, Antonio Fresu, Bhupath Seemar
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
MATCH INFO
France 3
Umtiti (8'), Griezmann (29' pen), Dembele (63')
Italy 1
Bonucci (36')
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
ACC 2019: The winners in full
Best Actress Maha Alemi, Sofia
Best Actor Mohamed Dhrif, Weldi
Best Screenplay Meryem Benm’Barek, Sofia
Best Documentary Of Fathers and Sons by Talal Derki
Best Film Yomeddine by Abu Bakr Shawky
Best Director Nadine Labaki, Capernaum
How to donate
Text the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
6025 - Dh 20
2252 - Dh 50
2208 - Dh 100
6020 - Dh 200
*numbers work for both Etisalat and du
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
Moonfall
Director: Rolan Emmerich
Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry
Rating: 3/5
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
