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Strengths and service Gordon Innes, UK Trade & Investment Director USA explains why the UK remains the partner of choice for US businesses

The UK offers tremendous strengths as a place in which, from which and with which, to do business. Its vibrant economy is acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in the global marketplace. And it is not merely Europe’s top investment destination; it is an investment multiplier, with unique benefits that create a springboard for further international growth.

We enjoy a long-standing reputation as a trading nation – a reputation that has enabled the establishment of valuable relationships with both mature and emerging markets. We believe in free trade and equal treatment and do not differentiate or discriminate on the grounds of corporate ownership. We also have an international labor market. Our multicultural population stimulates diversity of thought and talent, and results in a truly internationalist outlook. UK immigration, work permit and visa requirements ensure that companies established here are able to recruit the highly-skilled staff that they need to be and remain competitive.

The UK government is also ensuring the provision of the right skills for business. The labor market is the most flexible in Europe and 25 business-led Sector Skills Councils can ensure that you are able to find the skills you need; now and when you are ready to grow. US companies increasingly choose the UK for their European corporate headquarters. We are home to more than 9,000 US companies and last year there were 540 new investment projects from the US. In fact, every day, more than a million Brits go to work for a US company and across the Atlantic a similar number of Americans go to work for us Brits.

As a nation we have a unique spirit, a creative energy and constant appetite to challenge and question that has kept British scientists and researchers at the forefront of discovery and invention. The UK has a history of innovation. It has been able to embrace and exploit new technologies, which have in turn made it a magnet for the best, global creative talent. The UK government promotes innovation and knowledge-driven economic activities. It encourages international collaboration and is developing an open, entrepreneurial culture – all of which help to build the conditions for investor businesses to thrive.

Unprecedented sums are targeted for investment in the UK’s worldclass science and research base. The government has adopted a 10-year science and innovation program to make research more relevant for and accessible to, businesses. It has identified specific resources to help companies build relevant R&D excellence and to collaborate with UK companies and research organizations. And its tax credit scheme – which now provides business with an extra £600m to spend on R&D – is one of the world’s most attractive, with allowances of up to 150% of qualifying spend.

As a result, the UK has become one of the most attractive locations in the world to undertake business research and development. And the best US companies are all growing their networks of UK partners to help them deliver innovative products and services for their global customer bases. UK Trade & Investment is the lead UK government organization to help US businesses locate in the UK and grow internationally. It offers expertise and contacts through a network of international specialists in British diplomatic offices in the US and throughout the world. It works to bring high-quality investment to the UK’s vibrant economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business – and provides support and advice to investors at all stages of their business decision-making.

UK Trade & Investment also helps UK-based companies, whatever their ownership, to succeed in an increasingly global economy. Its range of expert services is tailored to the needs of individual businesses to maximize their international success. We provide companies with knowledge, advice and practical support. BritishAmerican Business is a core collaborator for UK Trade & Investment. We look forward to working with BritishAmerican Business in 2008, to continue to expand the dynamic business relationships between our two countries.

Gordon Innes
Director UKTI USA
845 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Tel: +1 (212) 745 0426
E-mail: gordon.innes@fco.gov.uk

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