Thursday, 05 Aug 2010
Don’t just take our word for it - senior executives from some of the UK’s leading investors share their views on why they chose the UK.
Why the UK?
It is a recognised leader in the fields of creativity and innovation, and is the sixth largest economy in the world, with a GDP of US $2,174 billion. The World Bank report ‘Doing Business 2011’ states that the UK is the best place to do business in the EU and the G8, and the UK topped the Ernst & Young European Attractiveness Survey 2011 as the most attractive destination for FDI.
Setting up in the UK
The UK is the easiest place to set up and run a business in Europe (World Bank: ‘Doing Business 2011). It ranks first in Europe and fourth in the world for ease of doing business.
“We chose London specifically because of its excellent infrastructure, the ease of setting up and operating a business, the access to highly skilled staff and the ability to find partner companies”
Ravi Kumar, Zanec
UK Tax and regulatory environment
The UK is an internationally competitive location for tax. Advantages include one of the lowest main corporate tax rates in the EU, generous tax allowances and competitive personal rates, the most extensive network of double taxation treaties in the world and low social welfare contributions.
The UK is joint first with the USA in the world for Product Market Regulation (PMR). It has the least barriers to entrepreneurship in the world and has the third fewest barriers to trade and investment in the world.
Springboard UK
The UK is the number one gateway to Europe, giving easy access to the 27 member states of the European Union, the world’s largest single market. It offers world-class transport links - with Heathrow's new Terminal 5 , and more expansion planned for international airports, sea containers and the rail network.
“London is an energy capital, an unequalled business and financial centre, and a global transportation hub”
Ma Weihua, President, China Merchant Bank
UK labour market
The UK’s labour market is one of the worlds’ most flexible. This factor combined with its strong skills base in the UK is reflected in its excellent record of attracting major foreign investors from all over the world.
Innovation, research and creativity in the UK
The UK is one of the world’s leading locations for commercial and academic R&D and creative industries such as film and TV production and computer gaming. With world-class universities and research institutes involved in undertaking leading-edge R&D in all business sectors, many leading companies have already made considerable investments in R&D activities across the UK.
Quality of life in the UK
UK residents enjoy a high standard of living, education and recreation. Publicly funded health care is free to all and there is a rich cultural heritage and abundance of leisure facilities.
“The UK is very important to Sony: we have over 3,000 employees here. English is the language of business globally and many of our divisions feel very comfortable here”
Sir Howard Stringer, Sony
Related publications
Overview of key facts about the UK business environment
Inward investment report 2010/11
Find out more
You can contact the Invest in the UK team by
Email:
enquiries@ukti-invest.com. You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours.
Telephone:
From outside the UK +44 (0)207 333 5442
From inside the UK +44 (0)845 539 0419