IN D U ST RY N EW S New owner takes over at John Mason According to Hood, existing jobs have been safeguarded and no immediate changes have been planned. Independent removal, storage and shipping business John Mason International has been sold to a new owner its sales and marketing director. Simon Hood takes the reins at the of a pandemic is challenging, but the business continues to remain fully operational. The safety of our customers and employees is my priority, and we have a number of safety measures in a departure from the Mason family after 137 years. He has 12 years experience in international shipping and global mobility. The company, which also has a all times. The current team will remain with John Mason International and, together, we will continue to ride out the specialises in trade groupage and full container load shipping services to destinations across the world and moving companies around the world with UK import services. SCHEMES INCENTIVISE MOBILITY The Greek government has introduced tax incentives to attract Greeks living abroad and foreigners to live in the country. CNBC reported that, under new rules designed to help rebuild the countrys economy, anyone who has been a tax resident for seven of the past eight years will be allowed half of their income tax-free for the next seven years. The government also recently introduced an annual flat tax rate of 100,000 for high earners who invest 500,000 or more within three years, and a flat income tax rate of seven per cent for foreign pensioners who move their tax residence to Greece. In the US, with more people working from home, movers are reportedly seeing increased demand as people move to states with lower-tax regimes. In Finland, a temporary relocation package was introduced to attract technology workers to live there. The 90-day scheme invited candidates to stay in the capital, and included pick up from the airport, accommodation, and introductions to potential employers. 14 FF301 Q2 21 pp10-17 News.indd 14 and friendly service, and come out stronger on the other side. More big businesses make international moves Global retailer Walmart and tech giant Samsung are among the large to its international workforce. Walmart is decreasing its operations in Argentina, Japan and the UK. It has sold the majority of its shares in Tokyo-based Seiyu GK, which has 329 stores, its British supermarket business Asda, and its retail business in Argentina. It recently acquired Flipkart in India, and other e-commerce businesses in Canada and Mexico. Samsung Semiconductor Europe, meanwhile, is moving its EMEA headquarters from the Frankfurt area to Munich, one of Germanys tech hubs. The company began moving into Bavaria Towers, Munich, at the beginning of 2020 and now employs 170 people from different countries. Faster response times to our customers and attracting the best talent in this technology hub are key for Samsung Semiconductor Europe to remain a leading solution provider for the next companys managing director. The move to Munich marks a new era for Samsung Semiconductor Europe as we embark upon a new age of innovation, cooperation and trust, together with our employees, customers and partners. Clemens Baumgrtner, head of the As the state capital of Bavaria, Munich is not only an international and culturally diverse city in a beautiful environment, it is also Germanys foremost tech hub and one of the leading cities in digital transformation. The Munich area is home to around 11,300 IT companies, which employ an estimated 119,000 employees. Bavaria Towers, Samsung Semiconductor Europes new Munich headquarters WW W. F I D I FOC U S . OR G 09/03/2021 14:40