| This is a particularly
significant year for BritishAmerican Business Inc (BABi).
In September 2005, we will celebrate the fifth anniversary
of the creation of BABi following the merger of the
American Chamber of Commerce (UK) and The British American
Chamber of Commerce of New York and London. Since its
inception, the organisation has evolved to the point
where it now has over 700 member companies in the UK
and US, and truly stands at the heart of transatlantic
business.
In 2004, there were a number of significant developments
for BABi. Notable was the creation of the BritishAmerican
Policy Group. Led out of London and with teams in London
and Washington, this initiative allows BABi to speak
in a timely and authoritative manner on policy issues
that can benefit us all in our common goal of developing
UK/US trade.
Indeed, the transatlantic business relationship that
we represent is now stronger and more valuable than
ever. In fact, in 2003 alone, the UK exported over £50.9bn
worth of goods and services to the US and imports from
the US amounted to £36.3bn. Today, more than one
million people in the US are employed by UK-headquartered
companies, and the European Union-US trade relationship
means six million European jobs and about seven million
American jobs.
The UK is the gateway to those looking to invest in
Europe so, naturally, BABi’s reach is much wider
than just London or New York. With our association with
the British-American Business Council (BABC) and the
European Council of American Chambers of Commerce (ECACC),
we have a business network that extends to more than
60 cities right across North America and Europe. (More
information can be found on the BABC on page 133.)
By offering a broad range of products and services,
BABi provides real help and support to American and
British organisations of all sizes as they seek to grow
and develop transatlantic business. The BritishAmerican
handbook is just one of those products and its purpose
is to help those US organisations looking for investment
opportunities in the UK.
This 2005 edition is packed full of information and
practical advice, and includes introductory articles
from Douglas Alexander, UK Minister of State for Trade,
Investment and Foreign Affairs; David Johnson, Chargé
d’Affaires, US Embassy in London; Sir Stephen
Brown, Chief Executive of UK Trade & Investment;
Sir Philip Thomas, KCVO CMG, British Consul-General
New York and Director General of UK Trade & Investment
USA; and Wilf Stevenson, Director, The Smith Institute.
This handbook is, of course, also useful for those
companies involved in setting up operations in the UK,
as it includes details of the various professional bodies,
agencies, governmental departments and individual companies
that will guide you through the issues of starting a
business in this country. An excellent reference section
can also be found at the back.
I am sure you will find the BABi handbook to be a
valuable reference tool.
If you would like further information
on any of BABi’s publications, please contact:
Emma Abbott
Publications Manager
British American Business Inc
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7467 7437
E-mail: eabbott@babinc.org
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