BUSINESS LINKS

www.companieshouse.gov.uk – Companies House provides comprehensive guidance, a series of detailed booklets on various aspects of company formation, and numerous useful addresses on its website.

www.bexa.co.uk – The British Exporters Association (BExA) is an independent national trade association representing all sectors of the export community.

www.businesslink.org – Whether you are a sole trader or a firm of 250 employees, this site can provide you with straightforward information for all your business needs, from finance and grants to buying or selling a business.

www.dti.gov.uk – Department of Trade and Industry. The DTI aims to promote enterprise, innovation and increased productivity by encouraging successful business start-ups and by increasing the capacity of business, including SME’s, to grow, to invest, to adopt best practice and to exploit opportunities abroad.

www.sbs.gov.uk – The Small Business Service (SBS) is an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry. They have a simple vision – they want the UK to be the best place in the world to start and grow a business. They are working with the rest of government to deliver this vision.

www.tradepartnersuk-usa.com – This site provides assistance to UK companies exporting goods and services to the US, and assists US companies source goods and services from the UK.

www.uktradeinfo.com – As part of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Statistical Analysis of Trade Unit (SATU) they focus on trade statistics business and produce quality and timely trade statistics and deliver activities associated with this work.

www.babinc.org – BritishAmerican Business Inc (BABi) is the leading transatlantic business organisation dedicated to helping its member companies build their international business.

www.babc.org – The British American Business Council (BABC) is the largest transatlantic business organisation, consisting of over 30 British-American business associations and more than 4,000 companies in major cities throughout North America and the UK.

EDUCATION

www.ecis.org – As an international school membership organisation, the European Council of International Schools provides services to support professional development, curriculum and instruction, leadership and good governance in international schools located in Europe and around the world. ECIS creates pportunities for education and dialogue, encourages alliances with other organisations, and acts as a catalyst for the advancement of international education.

www.fulbright.co.uk – The Fulbright Programme promotes peace and understanding through educational exchange.

www.schoolplacement.com – Bennett Educational Resources is the industry specialist in education placement advisement and customised consulting services for individual family clients and multinational corporations with relocating personnel.

GOVERNMENT

www.direct.gov.uk – Is the easy way to access government services on the internet. It guides you through more than 900 government websites straight through to public services.

www.defra.gov.uk – Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs works for the essentials of life —- food, air, land, water, people, animals and plants.

www.homeoffice.gov.uk – The Home Office is the government department responsible for ensuring we live in a safe, just and tolerant society. They are responsible for the police in England and Wales, national security, the justice system and immigration.

www.patent.gov.uk – The UK Patent Office is responsible for Intellectual Property (copyright, designs, patents and trade marks) in the UK.

www.statistics.gov.uk – Official national statistics on Britain’s economy, population and society at national and local level.

www.usembassy.org.uk – US Embassy in London.

GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE

www.dti.gov.uk/regionalinvestment/ – Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFI) is designed for businesses that are looking at the possibility of investing in an Assisted Area, but need financial help to go ahead.

www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk – SMEs may be able to claim payable tax credits in cash from the Inland Revenue if they have losses in the accounting period.

Grants
Grant for Research and Development is the DTI initiative that provides grants to help individuals and small and medium-sized businesses in England to research and develop technologically innovative products and processes. Further information, and details of the grants available from the devolved administrations can be obtained from the following websites:

England: www.dti.gov.uk/r-d/ – Grant for Research and Development provides grants to help individuals and small and medium-sized businesses research and develop technologically innovative products and processes.

Scotland: www.rsascotland.gov.uk/ – Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) is a national grant scheme administered by RSA Scotland, part of the Scottish Executive. It is aimed at encouraging investment and job creation in the areas of Scotland designated for regional aid under European Community (EC) law (the Assisted Areas). Businesses of all sizes can apply for RSA, whether they are Scottish-owned or owned or headquartered outside Scotland.

Wales: www.wales.gov.uk/subitradeindustry/content/grantsforbusiness-e.htm – The Welsh Assembly Government delivers two discretionary investment grant schemes aimed at helping manufacturing or service sector businesses that operate beyond local markets.

Northern Ireland: www.investni.com/index/locate/lc-top-10-reasons-to-invest.htm – Northern Ireland offers a highly attractive and competitive package of financial incentives, recruitment and training, R&D and other development support tailored to each company’s needs.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES

www.thinklondon.com – Think London is the official foreign direct investment agency for London.

www.eeda.org.uk – The East of England is the region of the UK located immediately north of London.

www.seeda.co.uk – The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) came into operation to take the strategic lead in promoting the sustainable economic development of the region.

www.southwestrda.org.uk – South West of England Regional Development Agency. Their goal is to improve the economy of the South West.

www.thebritishmidlands.com – The British Midlands is located in the business centre of the UK.

www.onenortheast.co.uk – One NorthEast is the Regional Development Agency covering the North East region of England, comprising Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley.

www.nwda.co.uk – The Northwest Development Agency is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England’s North West.

www.yorkshire-forward.com – The Regional Action Plan for the Yorkshire and Humber economy sets out region-wide actions to implement the Regional Economic Strategy.

www.investni.com – Invest Northern Ireland. Their role is to change Northern Ireland into a high-growth economy driven by innovation and enterprise.

www.sti.org.uk – Scottish Development International helps you get the most from Scotland’s powerful knowledge-based industries.

www.wda.co.uk – Welsh Development Agency. Its mission is to maintain Wales’ position as a world-class location for overseas business.

UK TRADE SHOWS and EXHIBITION SITES

www.exhibitions.co.uk – This site offers a comprehensive listing of all the consumer, public, industrial and trade exhibitions to be held in major venues around the UK.

www.tsnn.co.uk – If you need a supplier to help with your next exhibition, event, or seminar, this site will help you find the right partner.