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Most finance directors in big UK firms have put purchasing at the top of the corporate agenda, a new report has claimed. Three-quarters now regard purchasing as a strategic function that is central to their plans for e-procurement, according to research by web-based e-procurement specialist firm Tranmit.

Agents angry over fees_2

Travel agents are up in arms over confused signals from British Airways about which of its franchised carriers will be following BA’s decision to stop paying commission to agents. Last month, BA announced it will delay cutting the fees until spring 2001. But agents say it is difficult to know what money will be paid to them.

US loses net bank lead_2

Europe has taken over from the US as the world leader in Internet banking, according to the annual survey of financial services by consultancy Cap Gemini Ernst and Young. The firm predicts that the lead will grow in 2003, with a quarter of European banking transactions online compared with just 12 per cent in the US.

Recall could cost £2bn_2

The Firestone tyre recall in the US could run to more than £2bn, according to bankers UBS Warburg. Analysts predict that a wider recall sought by the Center for Auto Safety will go ahead and have based their figures on the costs of the larger tyre recall in 1978.

Online booking with BA_2

British Airways has launched an online booking system that allows corporate travellers to pre-book seats and find out which airport desk or self-service machine has their boarding card up to 24 hours before departure.

Office of Fair Trading_2

Watson Wyatt Worldwide_2

Ford decision imminent_2

Ford will decide within six months whether to move its loss-making Land Rover division out of the UK to the continent or the US. Land Rover, which employs 8,500 workers at its Solihull plant, is increasingly sourcing more components from US parent Ford.

Minister to meet forum_2

Brian Wilson, construction minister, will meet the newly created Strategic Forum for Construction in the autumn in a renewed drive for radical change to construction practices.

Security consideration_2

Royal Dutch Shell is considering imposing the information security standard BS7799 on its electronic trading partners. Last year, only 37 firms in the UK were accredited with BS7799 and it is thought to be unlikely that the majority of Shell’s trading partners will have gone through the lengthy and expensive accreditation process.