This document provides an overview of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the services it offers to help UK companies expand their global trade and investment opportunities. UKTI is the UK government body that supports exporters and helps companies invest in the UK. It has an extensive network of trade experts both in the UK and abroad. The document highlights key statistics about the strength of the UK economy and business environment. It also provides examples of how UKTI has assisted companies in sectors such as aerospace, logistics, and life sciences to successfully expand internationally.
3. MaxiMise
your global
potential
we are witnessing an age of unprecedented
change which presents challenges and
opportunities of unparalleled scale for the
uK and other countries around the world.
in this period of increasing global economic
uncertainty, it is more important than ever that
businesses, whatever their country of origin,
raise their game to stay ahead of the
competition, increase their bottom line
and guarantee their future.
growing your business internationally could
well provide the answer that you are looking for.
uK trade & investment (uKti) can help you
every step of the way. it is a springboard for
global growth.
left: the petronas twin towers,
Kuala lumpur, malaysia
1
4. “I am a great believer in UKTI activities.
They are the catalyst that makes us
go out and explore opportunities in
far-flung markets.”
Dave Crump, Managing Director, Avesco Group
5. best For
business
for every £1 that
And companies from outside
The UK is a world-class location
the UK are increasingly choosing
for international business. Its
uKti spends, £15
to locate or expand here, attracted
vibrant and diversified economy
is generated for
not only by the strength and
and unique combination of
stability of the UK market,
success, confidence, innovation,
the uK economy.
but recognising that it is also
quality and ambition make it a
a jump-off point to further
truly global economic powerhouse.
international growth.
Competition in the world of
With the clock now ticking to
international trade is increasingly
the opening of the 2012 Olympic
fierce and we are experiencing an
Games in London, the eyes of the
era of change, new opportunities
world are firmly on the UK. This
and economic turbulence. The UK
provides a perfect platform for UK
is embracing these new challenges
companies to showcase their
and cementing its position
expertise and do business in
as a world leader.
overseas markets, and for firms
Building on the country’s proud
across the globe to make the most
history as a leading trading
of all that the UK has to offer.
nation, UK companies recognise
the importance of competing
in a globalised economy and of
becoming leaders in their field, not
just at home but across the world.
left: business people, beijing, china
3
6. building prosperity Our clients cite consistently the
adding value
importance of UKTI support in
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)
independent research
helping them to overcome barriers
can help you take advantage
shows that:
to new overseas business and
of these opportunities. As the
enabling them to improve their – for every £1 that uKti spends,
UK Government’s international
business performance. £15 is generated for the
business development
uK economy,
organisation, working in close Our trade development services
– over a 12-month period, uKti
partnership with the English can make a real difference to your
helped over 12,000 companies
Regional Development Agencies business. The first consultation
overcome barriers to entering
and the Devolved Administrations with a UKTI adviser can normally
new markets,
in Scotland, Wales and Northern be arranged very quickly and is
Ireland, we can give you the completely free of charge. The – uKti’s estimated total
support that you need to help cost of subsequent packages of financial benefit to
your business grow and prosper. support is then based on the businesses across all trade
individual requirements for your services is around £3 billion
Boasting an unrivalled network
business and the amount of detail each year,
of specialist advisers throughout
needed, and will always offer – each uKti service generates
the UK and in British embassies
significant value for money. over £100,000 in estimated
and other diplomatic posts across
Understanding our customers’ benefits per customer, and
the globe, we build the capacity
needs is vital.
of UK exporters, both new and – more than 3,000 companies
experienced, by offering strategic increased r&d activity in the
impartial advice and research, uK as a result of uKti support
political support in overseas in 2007/08.
markets, introductions to key
contacts and assistance with
promotional activities.
“the support of uK trade & investment has
enabled us to take a fast-track route to
success. when you go into a new market,
you need to do so with knowledge. uK trade
& investment has provided that for us.
this support is not only highly cost-effective,
but also totally reliable.”
peter blezard, Chief executive, plant impact plc
4
7. £100,000
uKti’s services
generate an average
of £100,000 additional
profit per customer.
case study
Defence and security
tavcom training
dedicated hampshire security and surveillance training company
tavcom is branching out in the usa after carrying out in-depth
research with uK trade & investment.
director of training mike tennent said: “it’s important to approach
export with your eyes open and we wanted to minimise our risk
by doing our homework properly.
“the guidance we received from uKti on who to speak to in the
usa and how to assess the wider economic issues was invaluable
and allowed us to take a very structured and focused approach to
our research, which told us that there was a real gap in the market
in the states.”
consequently, tavcom developed a clear and well-devised
market-entry strategy, which has led to it delivering training
courses for a major supplier of technical products, design and
installation staff at atlanta airport, important opening training
programmes with the us department of homeland security and,
through a partnership with a local business, establishing a
professional training centre in california.
“without uK trade & investment, we would not have been able to
approach this opportunity with such certainty,” concluded mike.
www.tavcom.com
5
8. Every year, we help hundreds
For international businesses
facts
of overseas firms, from hi-tech
currently outside the UK or
– in 2007, the uK was the
start-ups to global industry
firms who have chosen to locate
top global defence exporter,
leaders, discover global growth
here, UKTI leads and guides an
with a record £10 billion of
from a UK base.
inward investment network
new business.
comprising ourselves, English
Innovative, professional,
Regional Development Agencies, – london is europe’s largest
entrepreneurial and customer-
International Business Wales, international banking centre,
focused, no other organisation
Invest Northern Ireland and with an estimated 41 per cent
is better equipped to support
Scottish Development of all the eu’s financial services.
globally minded companies,
International. The network – the uK is a world leader in
both big and small, saving them
works with inward investors at university r&d, with more
valuable time and money in the
all stages of their decision-making scientific research papers per
process. Let us help you be the
cycle, becoming their advocate head than the usa, germany,
best, too.
in government and with other france or Japan.
public bodies.
– eight of the world’s top
ten largest management
consulting firms – based on
fee income – are from the uK.
– the uK is number one
for headquarter operations
in europe.
case study
advanced engineering
trac precision machining ltd
and introduced it to senior
the company, part of the trac
uK trade & investment helped
local government officials to
group, has chosen guayamas,
trac precision machining, a
ensure it received the best-
in the state of sonora, as the
crewe-based designer and
possible incentives.
location for the new facility,
manufacturer of complex airfoil
after discussions with the local
components, to decide to set up
business development director
authorities. this came after the
an operation in mexico as part of
scott mawby said: “the decision
uK trade & investment office in
its expansion plans to reach new
to go to mexico was driven by our
monterrey provided objective
markets. the facility will
customers requiring a us-dollar
analysis on the aerospace sector
manufacture turbine blades for
source and a lower-cost base for
in mexico, accompanied trac
commercial jet engines and
components.”
group in its pre-visit to sonora
power-generation equipment.
to review the site selection www.trac-group.com
6
9. In 2007, the UK was the top global
defence exporter, with a record £10 billion
of new business.
raf tornado f3 in its rubb hanger
10. facts
– the uK is the world’s
second-largest exporter
of tv programmes.
– the uK has the top four
universities in europe.
– london is the global centre
for emissions trading.
– uK scientists have been
awarded over 70 nobel prizes
in scientific disciplines.
– the uK has the highest
number of leading mba
courses in europe.
– l ondon is the world capital
case study for wi-fi hotspot use, racking
logistics up four times as many wi-fi
amazon sessions as new York
and chicago.
in april 2008, iconic global company amazon, headquartered
in seattle, opened a new logistics centre in swansea, creating
2,700 jobs over the next five years.
the facility, which is roughly the size of ten football pitches,
is the internet shopping business’s largest base in the uK, and was
brought to swansea thanks to a close partnership between amazon
and international business wales, part of the welsh assembly
government and uK trade & investment’s partner
in the principality.
wales’s first minister rhodri morgan said: “this is an extremely
important investment, creating thousands of new jobs. other
e-economy companies will sit up and take notice of amazon’s
decision to opt for wales and the impressive turnaround time.
“the speed of delivery of this project has been exceptional, taking
just 16 months from the initial approaches between amazon and the
assembly government to the opening of this megafacility.
“it is a powerful shot in the arm for the welsh economy and the
swansea bay area in particular. i am proud of the role that the
assembly government has played in attracting amazon to wales.
partnership has been the key to this success.”
www.amazon.com
8
11. “the help we have
received from uK trade
& investment has been
excellent. it puts you
in touch with the right
people so that you can
win orders.”
nigel rogers, Managing Director, lyncolec
9
12. UK Trade & Investment aims to be the
springboard for success by providing a
range of unique export support services.
13. enriChing
exporters
uKti’s estimated total
in regional, lesser-known centres
When UK companies do
too. If Team GB’s world-beating
business overseas, they benefit
financial benefit to
Olympians and Paralympians can
the UK economy by increasing
businesses across all
succeed with such style in Beijing,
productivity, competitiveness and
then there is no reason why you
innovation. Internationally active
trade services is around
can’t follow suit!
firms achieve a level of growth not
£3 billion each year.
otherwise possible, utilise their
UKTI aims to be the springboard
capacity more effectively, reduce
for this success by providing
their dependence on a single or
a range of unique trade
small number of markets, become
support services.
exposed to new ideas and increase
Whether you are venturing into
the commercial life span of their
selling overseas for the first time,
products or services.
or are an experienced exporter
That is why UK Trade & Investment
trying to break into new markets,
(UKTI) is so dedicated to helping
these services, including support
UK exporters in global markets.
for participation at selected trade
fairs and outward missions, advice
Despite intense competition,
on communicating overseas and
UK products, services and
bespoke market intelligence,
expertise continue to be in
can help make doing business
demand across the world, and
internationally be as easy as doing
opportunities are more plentiful
business in the UK.
than ever before. This is
particularly true in high-growth
markets such as Brazil, Russia,
India and China, whose dynamic
economies provide a wealth of
prospects for UK firms in the
coming decades, not just in their
established cities, but increasingly
left: aircraft undercarriage
11
14. how uKti Can
help you...
Developing your uKti can help make
– specialist help with tackling
cultural and language issues
international doing international
when communicating with
trade potential business as easy
overseas customers and partners,
as doing business
– advice on how to go about
UKTI’s services assist companies market research and the possibility
in the uK.
with tailored training, planning of a grant towards approved
and support to help them prepare market research projects,
to succeed overseas. Getting
– ongoing support to help your
started in international trade can
business continue to develop
be tough – there’s a lot to learn
overseas trade and look at
and often a lot at stake. That’s
dealing with more sophisticated
why it helps to have top-quality,
activities or markets, and
cost-effective advice and support.
– advice on a range of international
UKTI can provide:
trade help available from UKTI
– an export health check to and others.
assess your company’s trade
development needs and help
develop a plan of action,
– training in the requirements
for trading overseas,
– access to an experienced local
International Trade Adviser,
“since working with uK trade & investment,
we have gone from strength to strength.
Year-on-year sales growth has been
significant, key markets have been opened,
strategic alliances have been formed and
business generated. the experience has
been so incredibly positive.”
andrew eborn, president and Ceo, octopus Media technology
12
15. the uK is a world
leader in university
r&d, with more
scientific research
papers per head than
the usa, germany,
france or Japan.
case study
life science
integrated technologies ltd (itl)
flourishing ashford-based firm itl, which specialises in the
contract design, development and manufacture of instruments for
use throughout the life science sector, recently opened a factory in
Jinqiao, china, after receiving help from uK trade & investment.
uKti provided support with areas such as documentation, the
preparation and translation of brochures, and advice on china’s
business culture and environment.
“when you’re attempting to do this sort of thing for the first time,
you need a lot of support,” said managing director tom cole.
“we talked with uKti in the early stages of this project and very
soon began to feel the benefit, receiving invaluable advice on
aspects of who to contact in china, how best to progress the
project and how to tackle bureaucracy. our international trade
adviser worked tremendously hard on our behalf.
“we commissioned an overseas market introduction service
report from uKti, which gave us really good contacts and led
to our identifying five key suppliers in china. one of these is now
our partner, and in June we opened our new Jinqiao facility.”
he concluded: “we are confident that it will lead to continued
robust growth that will benefit not only our customer, but also
everyone in our company, both in the uK and in china.”
www.itl.co.uk
13
16. how uKti Can
help you...
accessing with 1,300 staff across
world-beating network
international In England, our services are
all key global markets,
accessed and delivered through
markets no other organisation is
local UKTI International Trade
Teams located in each of the nine
better equipped to help
Once the initial homework has English regions. In Scotland, Wales
companies do business
been done, UKTI assists new and and Northern Ireland, they are
experienced exporters with
internationally.
delivered in co-operation with the
information, help and advice on respective national development
entering overseas markets. To be agencies (Scottish Development
a successful exporter you need International, International
to travel to your target markets Business Wales and Invest
and build lasting commercial Northern Ireland).
relationships with your clients and
UKTI, which, as well as offering its
partners. This is not always easy,
own services, also helps to fund a
but UKTI can help you with
number of export programmes run
practical assistance before you
by partner organisations, has
go and ongoing help while
world-beating knowledge and
you’re there.
expertise across key markets and
Our services include:
industry sectors, with in-depth
– information, contacts, advice, strategies in place for priority areas
mentoring and support from such as ICT, energy, life sciences,
UKTI staff at home and overseas advanced engineering, financial
in our network of embassies, services, healthcare and the
consulates and other offices creative industries.
in over 100 markets,
Central to everything is our
– support to participate in trade
close and enduring relationships
fairs overseas,
with our valued customers,
– opportunities to participate relationships that can open the
in sector-based trade missions door to a whole new world.
and seminars,
Whatever your size and level of
– access to major buyers,
experience and wherever in the
governments and supply
world you want to sell, talking
chains in overseas markets,
to UKTI is one of the best moves
– advice on forming international your company can make. We’ll help
joint ventures and partnerships, you research overseas markets,
gain the necessary international
– exploratory visits to new
trade skills, identify opportunities
markets, and
and turn them into real business.
– alerts to the latest and best
business opportunities.
14
17. “uKti also organised a
briefing, which really helped
us to understand our brazilian
customers in terms of both cultural
and commercial differences.”
case study
energy
elstat electronics ltd
“we already have an order of
“we then joined a uK trade
preston-based firm elstat, which
£907,000 annually and have just
& investment trade mission to
designs and builds environmentally
received our first call-off to the
brazil and found this an excellent
friendly systems that can
value of £350,000. we are also
way to further our business.
dramatically reduce the costs
negotiating more orders,
the trip gave us a real fast track
incurred by running fridges and
including an ongoing enquiry
to brazil and what drives the
refrigerated cabinets, has
from a brazilian beer giant,
economy there.
enjoyed lucrative success in
worth around £8 million, and
brazil after consulting with uK
“uKti also organised a
are hoping to see considerable
trade & investment advisers.
briefing, which really helped
volume growth in latin america
us to understand our brazilian
“a uKti specialist was able
in the future.”
customers in terms of both
to explain the latin american
he concluded: “i would definitely
cultural and commercial
approach to taxation and put
recommend that other companies
differences, and this enabled
us in touch with many helpful
interested in doing business
us to move relationships on
people,” explained commercial
in latin america contact uKti
more quickly and efficiently.
director mark ratcliffe.
to see what help is available
uKti’s help allowed us to
to them.”
secure business on a much
clearer basis and helped us
www.elstat.co.uk
tie our plans together quickly
and efficiently.
15
18. “If UKTI hadn’t been involved… I think I’d
have stayed thinking that I was really small
and the world was really big and the path
from one to the other was impossible.”
Carol Thompson, Director, Star Learning
19.
20. what our business customers say about us
independently conducted business surveys tell us
that uKti’s support helps them to:
– understand how to do – improve overseas
business overseas, marketing strategy,
– identify opportunities – gain access to
and open doors, information not
otherwise available,
– reach customers/
business partners not – understand the
otherwise accessible, competition,
– raise their profile and – access powerful
credibility overseas, research to inform
management
– overcome barriers to
decisions, and
entry or expansion,
– have the confidence
to explore or expand
in overseas markets.
“the groundwork uK trade & investment
undertakes to help us progress [export]
initiatives is utterly invaluable.”
Kevin slater, Co-founder, petscreen ltd
18
21. case study
sport and leisure infrastructure
innovision
“uKti’s speed and efficiency
“i cannot put a price on the value
uK trade & investment support
were phenomenal and helped
of the uKti sports & leisure
proved crucial in helping
innovision open doors, which
infrastructure team, which was
london-based event marketing
we’d never have been able to
instrumental in our success,”
agency innovision win the
unlock on our own. the power
enthused chief executive
contract to produce the opening
of the uKti network and
andrew douglass.
ceremony at the 2008 africa cup
business credibility gave us
of nations in ghana.
“[after the wembley meeting]
an edge and ultimately helped
we worked closely with uK
uKti, aware that ghana was
secure our contract.”
trade & investment to invite
looking to meet with specialists
a key ghanaian decision maker
in opening ceremonies, matched www.innovision.uk.com
to one of our major london
africa cup organisers with
events, le grand depart of the
innovision at its “meet the
tour de france, in June 2007. as
stadium manager” event at
the invitation came from uKti
wembley stadium in 2007, marking
it added extra weight and
the start of a fruitful relationship.
credibility to our offering. within
48 hours, i had an appointment to
see the africa cup’s chief
operating officer.
19
22. The UK’s innovative and knowledge-based
economy... is synonymous with opportunity
and global potential.
23. DisCoVer global
growth FroM
a uK base
+ 83%
Maximising foreign In the UK, companies, including
many of the world’s major
direct investment corporations, plug directly into
the heart of global finance, global
r&d investment into
The UK’s innovative and creative and professional services,
knowledge-based economy, global media and global talent.
the uK increased by
underpinned by excellent public They enjoy access to world-class
83 per cent in 2007/08
services and infrastructure, is science and academia and link
synonymous with opportunity into a wide network of smaller
and global potential. Supported enterprises, many of which are
by a stable political system and also world leaders in their fields.
a well-established legal
In short, the UK is the gateway
framework, it offers a skilled and
of international connections.
flexible multicultural workforce
No wonder, then, that the UK
and a unique spirit, individuality
is number one in Europe and
and all-round creative energy.
second globally only to the USA
Blessed with a favourable in attracting Foreign Direct
geographic position and time Investment (FDI). Host of the
zone, the UK is at the hub of biggest show on earth in 2012,
international business, bringing it really is the place to be.
the world to a company’s door.
Talk to UK Trade & Investment
Unlike most of its competitors,
(UKTI) and you too could be at the
it isn’t just an investment
heart of this global crossroads.
destination: it is rather an
investment multiplier, a
springboard to international
growth that upgrades the value
of a company’s investment.
The UK in itself offers the best of
international business. Companies
don’t do business in the UK just
because they’re interested in the
prosperous UK market. They also
come here to become global.
left: photovoltaic cells on the roof
of city hall, london.
image supplied by paul rapson
21
24. how uKti Can
help you...
– practical help, including visits
UKTI’s comprehensive range
facts
to suitable locations, finding
of services assists overseas
business partners and accessing
companies, whatever their size – the uK is the number-one
financial incentives, and
and experience, to bring high- inward investment location
quality investment to the UK. in europe and number two
– a first-class aftercare service,
They are delivered in partnership in the world.
offering investors an opportunity
with teams in the development – in 2007/08, the uK attracted
to raise questions and issues
agencies in England’s nine 1,573 foreign direct
about their investment in the UK.
regions, and in Scotland, Wales investment (fdi) projects
Once you’re established in the
and Northern Ireland, whose job (uKti had significant
UK, we can then help your
it is to promote economic growth involvement in 549
company to expand – both in
in their area. of these) from 48 countries, a
the UK and overseas. We provide record-breaking performance.
Deciding where to locate your
support with:
international business is often a – it takes 13 days to set up a
– new UK business opportunities,
long and involved process. It is business in the uK, compared
UKTI’s job to know the UK’s to the european average of 32.
– choosing a new UK location,
strengths and where investment – the uK has the least
– growing your industry networks,
opportunities exist. Our services barriers to entrepreneurship
help businesses coming to the in the world.
– having your say in
UK get up and running with speed
UK Government, – london is the leading city
and confidence.
in europe in terms of
– trading overseas, and
They include: languages spoken.
– setting up a European – r&d investment into the
– impartial advice on where
headquarters. uK increased by 83 per cent
and how to set up business in
in 2007/08.
Take advantage of these services
the UK,
and you too could be part of the – the uK is ranked as the
– in-depth tailored information,
UK success story. best performer in the g8
including advice on R&D, tax,
leading economies per unit
human capital and visas,
of r&d spend.
– introductions to professional – the level of fdi stock in the
advisers and key contacts, uK was us$1.347 trillion in
2007 – a record year.
– access, through the UK Advisory
Network, to lists of professional
service organisations, such as
accountants, lawyers and banks,
that can support your move to
the UK,
22
25. “uK trade & investment
really does offer a wide
range of help to make it
easier for businesses to
set up in the uK.”
amir Mohamed, Ceo, billadam (Malaysia)
23
26. 1st
what inward investment clients say about us
independently conducted business surveys of our
inward investment clients tell us that locating in the uK is the
the uK enables them to: number-one inward
investment location
– keep up with – access an established
in europe and number
competitors, network of business
two in the world.
services, and
– access other markets
in the region, – tap into a
knowledgeable and
– be close to key centres
skilled workforce.
of knowledge, research
or expertise,
“our partnership with newcastle university came
about largely thanks to uK trade & investment and
all the people it introduced us to. my advice to other
companies considering investing in the uK is
contact uKti and follow their guide.”
Jeong-Chan ra, Ceo, rnl bio (south Korea)
left: the gateshead millennium bridge
24
27. “Indian companies looking to start operations
in Europe perceive the UK as the foremost
investment location and an excellent
platform to enter other European markets.”
Syed Anwar Hasan, Managing Director, Tata Limited (India)
28. case study
Creative industries
lg electronics
with assistance from foreign
the designers will also be
in June 2008, Korean firm
direct investment agency think
called upon to adapt products
lg electronics, a leader in
london, lg chose london and
that will appeal to the european
consumer electronics and mobile
the uK as its european hub due
market, but which have been
communications, opened a
to its business and finance
developed elsewhere.
new european design centre
environment, as well as its
in london.
“our new european design
global position.
centre has been established to
the centre, which was
the duke of York stated: “lg
provide our design team with the
formally opened by hrh the
could have chosen any of several
optimum creative environment,
duke of York, the uK’s special
global cities for this centre. that
which includes extensive
representative for international
it chose london is tremendous
libraries and leading technologies
trade and investment, will create
news for the uK and testament
to aid in the design process,” said
european designs for its entire
to the world-class business
president and ceo James Kim.
range of consumer goods,
environment we’re creating here.”
including mobile handsets
and devices, flat-screen tvs
www.lge.co.uk
and audio systems, white goods
and other home electronics,
based on european
consumers’ requirements.
26
29. “our association with
uK trade & investment
gave us instant credibility
in the eyes of potential
partners. i’ve been
thrilled with the help
they have provided.”
louise rutten, yellow Culture (new Zealand)
27
30. next
steps
We also operate a customer
If you are interested in finding
enquiry line, which is staffed
out more about UK Trade &
from 09.00–17.30, Monday to
Investment’s (UKTI) unique range
Friday. If you want to find out
of services, we recommend that
more, speak to someone directly
you register on our website, which
or have any questions or feedback,
contains a wealth of information:
then please give us a call:
www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
+44 (0)20 7215 8000
It also enables you to find your
local International Trade Team Overseas-based investors and
and contains contact details of UK-based companies operating
relevant UKTI staff to help you overseas can also contact the UKTI
follow up on the areas that are team at their local British embassy,
of interest to you. high commission or consulate (see
website for details).
Make that first contact and you
will be one step closer to your
springboard for global growth.
left: esplanade bridge, singapore
28
31. Over a 12-month period, UKTI helped
over 12,000 companies overcome barriers
to entering new markets.
