BritishAmerican Business Inc of New York and London (BABi), with nearly 1,000 member companies in the US and UK, is the leading transatlantic business organisation.

This places us squarely at the heart of the UK/US business relationship – the largest business relationship between any two countries in the world.

Through our association with the British-American Business Council (BABC) and the American Chambers of Commerce in Europe, we have a business network extending far beyond our home cities of London and New York, right across North America and Europe.

UK/US trade represents the lion’s share of US trade with Europe: it includes more than $460bn in two-way investment and more than $74bn in annual two-way trade.

Trade and investment figures may be down on recent years, but they are most definitely not out. The US is still the UK’s top export market with $40.9bn in exports for 2002, while the UK remains the largest overseas investor in the US and received almost 40% of the US’s investment in Europe. More than a million people in the US and UK, meanwhile, are employed by companies that are headquartered in the other country.

There are many reasons for this massive reciprocal level of trade and investment: common history, language and culture, flexible and open markets and shared business values, as well as accessibility. All play important roles in this relationship. The legal, social and tax frameworks supporting business are also crucial.

Transatlantic business thrives because our two countries are involved with each other in so many ways and at so many levels. The integration that exists between our two countries has created thousands of opportunities, many common causes, and an open relationship that enables us to deal effectively with potentially divisive issues when they arise. In unsettled times, the stability of this relationship is a source of reassurance and, at the present time, all aspects of this relationship have, arguably, never been stronger.

It still remains to be seen how the UK will play out its role in Europe, but it represents both a lucrative investment/ business opportunity for the US, as well as being the primary gateway to the rest of Europe for thousands of US firms.

BABi exists to provide practical benefits to US and British companies of all sizes as they look to grow their transatlantic business, by offering a broad range of business development, business intelligence and networking services and opportunities. Our membership ranges from the largest multinationals to middle-market and smaller operations.

This handbook is yet another initiative to expand our service, primarily by giving useful information on ways in which US companies and business people can find opportunities for doing business in the UK.

In this publication, as well as welcome words from the Hon William S Farish, the US Ambassador to the UK, we have also included guidance from Sir Stephen Brown at British Trade International and Sir Thomas Harris, the British Consul General in New York. However, the bulk of the volume is turned over to the UK’s development bodies, with information on the range and variety of potential locations in the UK for US business. We have focused on overviews, case studies, expert advice and contact information.

There is a new section for this issue devoted specifically to the US, with information on and contributions from the different networks throughout the country that can help businesses attempting to set up in the UK.

You will find a reference section at the end of this publication so that you have information at your fingertips on many of the most prominent bodies, agencies and individual companies that can help you through issues you will face as you develop your business in this country. There is also a “Useful Websites” page for anyone doing research over the Internet.

BABi is dedicated to helping our member companies build and expand their international business. In effect, we create networks between countries as well as companies and we help companies of all sizes to do business with each other. If you are looking to build your business in Europe, we hope this book will be a useful starting point. We look forward to welcoming you to our growing transatlantic fellowship of business.