Business Daily

Many of us have drawers and boxes full of beauty products that we never end up finishing. We meet the Nordic start-ups who are trying to cut some of that waste by changing the way we shop. We find out about tech which personalises products, and then makes it 'on demand' rather than in bulk. And will the use of AI actually end up encouraging people to buy more, rather than less?Presented and produced by Maddy Savage(Image: A scientist at Swedish tech start-up Ellure. Credit: BBC)

Does the paper industry use too much water? As concern about plastic waste grows, many companies have switched from plastic packaging to paper, but how environmentally friendly is paper production? Uruguay, in South America, has been suffering from drought and its forestry and pulp milling industries are coming under increasing scrutiny for the amount of water used. We’ve been to an enormous new pulp mill in central Uruguay, capable of producing more than two million tonnes of pulp every year, to find out more. Producer / presenter: Grace Livingstone(Image: Water protests in Uruguay; Credit: BBC)

How does sleep relate to your job, your income, or your socio-economic status? We look at the impact of a good, and bad night’s rest. We discuss the factors affecting sleep, including access to health care, where and how you live, and how that might influence other aspects of your life.Plus we look at the growing market in devices to ‘cure’ sleep problems.Producer and presenter: Elizabeth Hotson (Image: A man in bed in a deep sleep. Credit: Getty Images)

Delegates will soon descend on Saudi Arabia for perhaps the most consequential meeting in UNESCO’s history. With an extended agenda after last year’s cancellation, it’s the first World Heritage Committee meeting to be held in-person for four years.In this episode we examine the so-called ‘UNESCO effect’ - and hear from entrepreneurs around Angkor Wat, in Cambodia, about the mixed consequences of its listing. We also hear from officials in Liverpool, in England, about UNESCO's decision to remove World Heritage status from the city's historic centre and docklands.Presenter / producer: Laura Heighton-Ginns Image: Angkor Wat; Credit: Getty Images

These tech powerhouses bring in money and jobs but can be environmentally problematic and in Ireland data centres account for almost a fifth of the electricity consumption.We explore how Ireland can keep hold of this valuable industry and make sure it's energy supply isn't affected.Producer / presenter: Leanna Byrne (Image: Data centre; Credit: Getty Images)

Taylor Swift's Eras tour is predicted to make a record $1 billion - but how?As countries around the world grapple with high inflation, how has Taylor Swift been able to persuade fans to spend money?Olivia Wilson speaks to Brittany Hodak, author of Creating Superfans, to understand the role Swiftomania has played in her commercial and financial success.Tyler Morse is the CEO of MCR, the third largest hotel owner-operator in the United States. He explains how Taylor Swift’s concerts have had a significant impact on the local economies of the cities she has toured in – including some of his hotels in Phoenix, Arizona. Presented and produced by Olivia Wilson.(Image: Taylor Swift performing in Seattle. Credit: Getty Images)

Many of us started working from home in the coronavirus pandemic - and never went back. Now, office space in many cities around the world is standing empty. We visit Mumbai, New York and London, where an increase in home working means buildings in business districts standing empty. And Singapore, which seems to be bucking the trend, with demand as high as ever.We also hear from the CEO of US-based commercial real estate company Remax - are we witnessing the end of the traditional office? Produced and presented by Alex Bell.

The humble wine cork, once the main way to stop a bottle of wine, had its market share decimated in the 1990’s when screw caps were favoured. However, the problem of 'corked' wine has been almost completely solved and cork is recognised as a more sustainable, if slightly less convenient material for wine makers to use.In this episode we visit the world’s largest cork producing region in Portugal to find out more about how the cork industry has hit the good times once again. We explore which wines taste better with cork and how supermarkets are cutting down on wine packaging. Presenter / producer: Rick Kelsey Additional reporting: Alastair Leithead Image: Cork production; Credit: Getty Images

Working irregular hours, including overnight, means meal times can be disrupted. So what impact does this have on the body and overall health?We hear from workers in Mumbai and Lagos about their experiences, plus get advice from a dietician about what and when you should be eating. Produced and presented by Marie Keyworth.(Image: Workers in a construction camp cutting metal at night. Credit: Getty Images)

The government in Bangladesh is trying to modernise its economy and has announced a policy to create digital only banks. The idea is to move away from traditional bricks and mortar banks and provide more financial services to people in remote areas. For fintech companies that operate digital wallets – this is a gamechanger. However, many people in the country don’t have access to smartphones or the internet, so how will these banks work for them and for Bangladesh’s economy?Presenter / producer: Devina Gupta Image: Money exchange; Credit: Getty Images

Dive into a world of amazing cakes and cafes, where look and taste combine in the hope of tempting customers to part with their cash for sweet treats.Explore how our tastes and habits are changing when it comes to buying and eating cakes and puddings – and find out why social media is now crucial to the baking and dessert café industry. Presenter / producer: Emb Hashmi Image: Forever Rose cafe; Credit: Ebraheem Al Samadi

What’s the best way to help people in need? In the past, humanitarian aid has focused on providing shelter and food, but there’s a growing move towards direct cash payments. We'll take you to Syria, Egypt and Kenya to find out how it works and why it's being embraced.We speak to Rory Stewart, president of the US charity Give Directly, which is based entirely on direct cash payments. And hear from two women who’ve used some of that money to develop their own small businesses in Kenya.Elias Abu Ata explains how the International Rescue Committee used cash in the wake of the earthquake in Syria earlier this year, and Rasha Batarseh, UNHCR cash programme officer for Egypt tells us how it’s being used to help refugees fleeing the conflict in Sudan.Finally, is cash assistance more vulnerable to fraud? Oliver May, former head of counter fraud at Oxfam, gives his view.Producer/presenter James Graham Additional production support from Chrystal Onkeo(Image: Rory Stewart from Give Directly visiting a project in Malawi. Credit: Give Directly.)

Ida Tin coined the term Femtech after she founded the period tracking app, Clue, which has since been downloaded more than 100 million times. We hear how she managed to turn her idea into a business, how she went about funding it over her 10 year stint as CEO and how she sees it evolving as technology becomes more advanced.Producer/Presenter: Hannah Mullane Photo: Ida Tin Credit: Ida Tin

The country is not just facing record-high levels of youth unemployment - more than 20% of 16-24 year olds in urban areas at the latest count. It is also facing growing discontent among many young people about the type of work they can find, often involving long hours, no overtime pay, and insecure contracts. It is prompting some to opt out of the rat race altogether. And many experts think the current problems aren't just prompted by the global slowdown. They're structural. Even the government's economic advisors think it may be time for a new economic plan if China is to avoid years of stagnation. That change could slow and painful though. Will Xi Jinping and the country's other Communist Party leaders go for it?Produced and presented by Ed Butler. (Image: College students choose jobs at a job fair for 2023 graduates in Huai 'an City, East China's Jiangsu Province. 01/07/23. Photo credit: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Image)

Is trouble brewing for the world’s second largest economy? China’s exports are down, the property market’s creaking, and millions of young people - more than one in five - are officially classed as unemployed. It's not just the lack of jobs, it's the quality of employment that's now on offer - much of it informal in sectors like hospitality or food delivery. In the first of two programmes assessing the economic challenges, Ed Butler asks, what's gone wrong?Produced and presented by Ed Butler.(Image: A job-seeker look for employment at a job fair for college graduates in Nanjing in east China's Jiangsu province in Feb 2023. Credit: ZHONG NAN / Feature China/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa tell us how they turned a side hustle into a full-time business.In 2017 they moved their family from London to Scotland to set up their distillery, creating an African-Scottish business.Presenter/producer Dougal Shaw. (Image: Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa. Credit: BBC)

Ynon Kreiz explains how they transformed Barbie, the well-loved and sometimes controversial doll, into a movie.The boss of one of the world's biggest toy companies also talks about the need to bring more diversity into the Barbie brand, and expand products beyond the toy aisles. Presenter/producer: Dougal Shaw(Image: Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken in a still from the movie. Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

We meet one of the UKs most successful record producers, who was behind hits such as Smooth Operator.He talks to Dougal Shaw about his career so far, his record label, and the future of music. Sir Robin Millar is blind - his sight had totally gone by his mid-thirties - and he talks about the impact that has had on him.And he talks about AI in music.Producer/presenter: Dougal Shaw

We meet one of the world's leading interior designers.Kelly Hoppen finds design solutions for celebrities including the Beckhams, but also works with luxury brands and businesses too.And she is enthusiastic about people achieving good design on a budget. She talks about growing up in South Africa, and explains how music inspires her work. Producer/presenter Dougal Shaw.(Image: Kelly Hoppen. Credit: BBC)

Iain Griffin and Dirk Stewart formed their company after a mutual need for more leg room inspired a brainwave.They created the Seatfrog app for train travel, which is disrupting the industry.Dougal Shaw meets them (on a train), and finds out why their business changed from air travel to trains, and moved from Sydney to London.Presenter/producer: Dougal Shaw(Image: Iain Griffin and Dirk Stewart. Credit: BBC)

We look into Mexico’s drive to get historical artefacts returned. Find out more about a famous quetzal feather crown believed to have been worn by the great Aztec emperor Moctezuma, it is currently in Austria and we hear from those who want to keep it there, and those campaigning for its return.Presenter / producer: Beth Timmins Image: Moctezuma's headdress; Getty Images

On Sunday 6 August 2023 it will be six months since the devastating event which killed more than 50,000 people, injured tens of thousands more, and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. For Business Daily, Victoria Craig travels to the worst affected region of Hatay. When President Erdoğan visited the disaster area back in February, he vowed to rebuild within a year, so can he keep that promise? Victoria speaks to residents who are still waiting to hear about permanent homes.And we ask whether new homes will be safe enough to survive another natural disaster?Presenter: Victoria Craig Producer: Gonca Tokyol(Image: Reconstruction in Hatay)

Space agencies and billionaire investors plan to have people living on the Moon or Mars. But those lunar and martian residents will have to grow their own food to survive.Find out how biologists from Florida, Norway and the Netherlands are experimenting to grow crops in regolith, the kind of soil found on the Moon and Mars. It could be very profitable enterprise. Presenter / producer: Russell Padmore Image: Moon and crops; Credit: Getty Images

From Tibet to the Andes to the highlands of Ethiopia, around 150 million people around the world work at high altitude. Many were born there, but in a globalized world of mass migration, many weren’t, and are toiling in environments that their bodies maybe aren’t accustomed to.What does that mean for their health and for the companies that employ them? We go to a high altitude copper mine in the Chilean Andes and talk to doctors about the potential risks of working on top of the world. Producer / presenter: Gideon Long(Image: A mine high in the Andes. Credit: Getty Images)

The country produces 70% of it's electricity this way - and is the global leader.It's aiming to prolong the lifespan of its 56 existing nuclear reactors – and construct additional ones.President Macron is calling it "the nuclear renaissance" of France.However some people still have concerns over the safety measures in place.So how much sense does France's nuclear strategy make, economically speaking?Produced and presented by Lisa Louis. Image:

What does it take to host a brand new multi-sport competition? We're in Rotterdam which is hosting the inaugural European Para Championships 2023. It's hoped that holding events at the same time will raise the profile of para sports - and be more cost effective.What does it take to get a fresh idea like this off the ground? Producer/Presenter: Matthew Kenyon(Image: Archer Roy Klaassen aiming his bow. Credit: European Para Championships / Rutger Pauw)

Janelle Jones is currently the chief economist of one of the biggest union movements in America and before that she worked in White House. Janelle was the first black woman to serve as chief economist in the Labor department. She tells us about her time there, how she got into economics and what keeps her grounded. Presenter: Devina Gupta Production: Sam Clack and Carmel O'Grady Image:

Peter MacJob visits Eti-Oni village in south-west Nigeria, home to the oldest cocoa plantation in the country. It's king, HRH Oba Dokun Thompson, is on a mission to transform the economy of the community by manufacturing chocolates and selling in some of the finest shops across Europe.Over 90% of Eti-Oni's inhabitants are cocoa farmers and although the cocoa industry is worth almost $130bn a year the money does not flow back to cocoa farmers. To try and change this King Thompson has partnered with Beech's fine chocolate in Preston in the north-west of England.Presenter / producer: Peter MacJob Image: HRH Oba Dokun Thompson; Credit: HRH Oba Dokun Thompson

The Bioceanic Highway, aims to link Chile's Pacific coast with Brazil's Atlantic coastline. We’re in landlocked Paraguay to find out how one of the world’s biggest infrastructure projects, could change how people there do business, especially the Mennonites, a powerful, religious farming community who live directly in the new highways' path. Presenter / producer: Jane Chambers Image: Bioceanic highway in Paraguay; Credit: Bob Howard

Georgia has seen huge economic growth but is there a cost to doing business with Russia?Tens of thousands of Russians moved to the small South Caucasus nation since the war began and they brought along their money and their ideas. In this programme we hear from some of those who have made the move and set up homes and businesses in Georgia. We'll also hear what Georgians, who fought their own war with Russia in 2008, make of the huge growth in trade and economic relations between the two countries. Presenter / producer: Rayhan Demytrie Image: Anti-Russian protests in Georgia; Credit: BBC

Remember Brandi Chastain? She scored the winning goal in the 1999 Women's World Cup final. She celebrated the goal by whipping off her shirt and swinging it round her head. The image of Brandi in a sports bra was on the cover of newspapers around the world.Now she’s joined forces with former team mates Leslie Osborne, Aly Wagner and Danielle Slaton to create a team, Bay FC, which will play in the US National Women’s Soccer League in 2024. They’re part of a growing trend in women’s football of players who are willing to invest money earned while playing the game back to help the next generation of players. We also hear from former England player Karen Carney who is helping retired footballers find a career in business. Presenter / producer: Sam Fenwick(Image: Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, Leslie Osborne and Danielle Slaton launch Bay Area Football Club. Credit: Bay FC)

Questions are being asked about the footwear that is currently on offer to women and girls. Men and women's feet are very different, so why have large sports companies only just started to do research into women’s football boots?And is this why more high-profile players are succumbing to injury?Olivia Wilson speaks to Laura Youngson, the co-Founder of Ida Sports, one of the only companies that designs and produces female-specific football boots.And Hyde United Women’s football club in the North West of England share what they’re looking for when it comes to buying football boots.Presenter/producer: Olivia Wilson(Photo: Woman about to kick ball. Credit: Getty Images)

South America is football crazy, but its women’s teams have never enjoyed the same success as the men’s. Brazil have never won the Women’s World Cup. Argentina have never even won a match at the tournament.Why is that? A lack of investment, TV revenue and sponsors, or deep-seated cultural issues and prejudices? We look at the poor state of finances in the South American women’s game, and hear from women who are trying to change attitudes. They say that if broadcasters and potential sponsors don’t take women’s football seriously, they’re not only ignoring half the people on the continent – they’re missing out on a great business opportunity.Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Gideon LongImage: Brazil goalkeeper Barbara after being knocked out of the 2019 Women's World Cup (Credit: Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)

As the countries prepare to host the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup for the first time, we find out why they were chosen, and what the legacy of the games will be for them.We take a look at the hospitality sector, including a café owner in New Zealand, who are hoping for a big boost from overseas visitors. How will they make the most of the opportunity, and cope with the influx of people coming into the town.And we hear from an architect about the new training ground that the Australian women's football team, The Matilda's, will call home.Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Barbara George(Photo: Sydney Olympic Stadium. Credit: Getty Images)

Ahead of the 2023 Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, we look at the business case for growing the sport.Investment in women's football is increasing, in line with greater confidence in its popularity, and higher expectations from players and fans.We ask where the commercial opportunities lie, how much money is coming into the game, and what does the future hold at such a pivotal moment?Presenter and producer: Sam Fenwick(Image: The USA team celebrating winning the 2019 Women's World Cup. Credit: Getty Images)

The eight-time Premier League winner on his successes and failures in business. Gary Neville tells us why building companies in his home city of Manchester matters to him and explains what level of investment he'd like to see at his former club Manchester United. Presenter: Sean Farrington Producer: Carmel O'Grady Image: Gary Neville; Credit: BBC

Youth unemployment in Spain is still very high, with 29.3% of working people under 25 out of work.Ahead of the snap General Election which will take place on Sunday 23 July, we speak to new voters and voters in their twenties who are just starting out in their careers. What policies appeal to them, how do they feel about an increasing right-wing presence, and what do they think of politicians using social media and podcasts to try and win their support?We’ll also hear from a young entrepreneur who is looking to see what advantages they can get from a potential change of government.Produced and presented by: Ashish Sharma Image:

We're in Hollywood, where a rising number of stars are putting their names on wine and liquor products. Is it a sensible investment? Or is the market reaching saturation point? Reporter KJ Matthews speaks to Bethenny Frankel, businesswoman, philanthropist and star of The Real Housewives of New York. She launched a pre-packaged margarita line, named Skinnygirl Margarita, in 2009.Plus we explore the potential of the growing non-alcoholic market for celebrities.Presenter: KJ Matthews Producers: KJ Matthews and Helen Thomas(Image: Bethenny Frankel giving a demonstration 2014. Credit: Getty Images)

A month on from the election in Turkey President Erdogan has promised to fix the economy. In this programme we find out more about Mehmet Simsek, the new finance minister, who says he'll return Turkey to rational economics and reduce inflation. We also hear from those running businesses in Turkey about what they need to stay afloat. Presenter / producer: Victoria Craig Image: Lira in a cash register; Credit: BBC

It’s been claimed artificial intelligence will be as revolutionary as mobile phones or the internet, but there are fears that developments in AI could come at the cost of jobs. We assess the pros and cons of this rapidly-evolving technology, with insight from Marc Raibert, Executive Director of the Boston Dynamics AI Institute. We also consider the impact of generative AI on the arts, with Matt Bellamy from British rock band Muse teasing a potential future collaboration with a humanoid robot.Presented and produced by Sam Clack. Image: Ameca robot at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation, London. Credit: Sam Clack / BBC

How are loans and grants distributed? And how high are the returns?According to the IMF, Africa’s growth prospect will be amongst the highest in the world and sectors such as fintech and telecoms are the drivers of the current economic growth, offering huge investment opportunities for foreign businesses.Peter MacJob speaks to Faith Adesemowo, CEO of Social Lender, a company which helps individuals build credit ratings through their social status. Presenter: Peter MacJob Productions: Peter MacJob and Barbara George Image: Social Lender / Credit: Social Lender

The African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, gives duty-free access for exports to the American market, and has done for 23 years.South Africa is one of the countries that has benefitted – but now its inclusion in doubt due to allegations from the US that it has violated its neutrality and supplied weapons to Russia - something South Africa denies. So what would being pushed out of AGOA mean for the country?Plus we hear from Ethiopia – it has been suspended from AGOA due to the the war in Tigray - we hear from an economist in Addis Ababa who disputes the benefits of these trade agreements to Africa. Presented by Ahmed Adan with reporting by Russell Padmore.(Image: An Ivory Coast stand at the 2019 AGOA forum, showcasing products on the market. Credit: Getty Images)

We look into the growth of foreign investment in Africa’s media space. Africa is generating a huge amount of localized content as international streaming platforms and global media organisations battle to gain a foothold in the market. We find out what’s driving the interest and whether it’s working. Producer / presenter: Bisi Adebayo Image: Reporters in Nairobi; Credit: Getty Images

For almost a decade, the Central African Republic has seen growing investment and influence from the Russian mercenary group Wagner. It stretches from education and religion to business and military. The recent mutiny has led to speculation about what the future of Russia's status in the CAR will be. We explore Russia’s role in the CAR, and ask what it means for that country, the continent of Africa and the wider world?Produced and presented by Peter MacJob, additional production from Zigoto Tchaya Tchameni. (Image: A demonstrator holds a Russian flag during a march in support of Russia and China's presence in the Central African Republic. Credit: Getty Images)

Large parts of sub-Saharan Africa are facing dire economic circumstances. The World Bank says more than one in three countries are either in severe financial distress, or are close to default. What’s gone wrong? In the first of a week of programmes, Ed Butler taking the pulse of investment in Africa and looking at ways the situation needs to change. Presenter / producer: Ed Butler Image: Mine in Guinea; Credit: BBC

Uorfi Javed is one of the most searched for social media stars in Asia, but despite huge fame and popularity she says she struggles to get work as big brands refuse to sign her.Uorfi Javed started out as a TV actress and became famous after wearing a dress made out of bin bags while in the Big Brother house. In this interview she tells us why she continues to dress however she likes despite criticism, how she works with paparazzi photographers to boost her profile and how much money she makes from her huge social media accounts. Presenter / producer: Devina Gupta Image: Uorfi Javed; Credit: Leh Studios

Many companies are urging staff to return to the office instead of working remotely, but noise levels are rising in workplaces, which can cause stress and undermine productivity. This means offices are now being built or redesigned to control noise, Russell Padmore visits one in Ireland. Producer / presenter: Russell Padmore Image: Office space; Credit: Getty images

From the Sydney Opera House to a basic kitchen renovation there are thousands of examples of construction projects large and small which go horribly over budget.Professor Bent Flyvbjerg has compiled a database of 16,000 projects, and by his reckoning only 8.5% them meet their initial estimates of cost and time. He talks to Sam Fenwick about his new book, “How Big Things Get Done”.Presenter / producer: Sam Fenwick Image: Sydney opera house; Credit: Getty Images

In September 2021, a volcano erupted on the Spanish Canary Island. It lasted nearly three months. Red hot lava spilled out and destroyed homes, businesses and everything in its path before reaching the sea 10 days later. It split the island in half.Eighteen months on, we travel back to La Palma to see how the islanders are rebuilding their livelihoods and infrastructure.Presented and produced by Ashish Sharma.(Image:Karin Bansberg watering plants outside her temporary wooden home. Credit: BBC)

The rush to extract battery metals from the bottom of the ocean and what that could cost financially and environmentally. Michelle Fleury sees a specialist mining robot in action and hears the arguments for and against deep sea mining. Presenter / producer: Michelle Fleury Image