An Overview of the UK as an Investment location

We are keen to welcome your business to the United Kingdom. The UK has a great deal to offer – fast, easy access to the EU single market, a workforce which is skilled and adaptable, and an environment which allows business to prosper.
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Annual Review 2002

A review of the operation of Invest•UK for the financial year 2002/2003.
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(Please note this is a 816 Kb file, which could take several minutes to download if you choose to view it.)

Creative Industries: Investment Opportunities

Investment Opportunities in the UK. Creative Industries in the UK focuses on the key sectors of Design, Leisure Software, Film and Animation.
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• Trade Associations
  • Think London
    The official foreign direct investment agency for London
  • Link2GlobalTrade  
    
  • Agriculture
    National Farmers' Union
    The National Farmers' Union represents the farmers and growers of England and Wales
    
    
  • Ceramic (also domestic utilities)
    British Ceramic Confederation
    UK Trade Association for the Ceramics Industry
    
    The British Hardware & Housewares Manufacturers' Association
    UK's trade Association representing the housewares, DIY and Hardware markets
    
    
  • Commerce/Distribution
    British Shops and Stores Association
    UK's non-food retail trade Association: departmental stores, multi-site operations to specialist independent retailers.
    
    British Toy & Hobby Association
    British Toy manufacturers Association
    
    
  • Construction/Building Materials
    Cement & Concrete Association
    UK Association for the Cement and Concrete Industries
    
    British Woodworking Association
    UK Association for the woodworking industry and builders, joinery: doors, windows, conservatories, staircases, architectural joinery, timber frame buildings and engineered timber components.
    
  • Electric and Electronics
    Domestic Appliance Service Association
    UK National Association of independent domestic appliance service organisations
    
    Electrical Contractors Association of Scotland
    Representing the electrical, electronics and telecommunications industry in Scotland
    
    The Electrical Distributors Association
    Trade association for the electrical wholesale distribution industry in the United Kingdom
    
    Electrical Installation Equipment Manufacturers Association
    To represent the interests of British electrical installation equipment manufacturers
    
  • Energy and Telecommunications
    Energy Industries Council
    Trade Association for UK companies that supply capital goods and services to the energy industries worldwide
    
  • Food
    Infant and Dietetics Foods Association
    UK Trade Association for manufacturers of infant and dietetic foods
    
    Foodservice Packaging Association
    UK Association for the disposable foodservice industry
    
  • Footwear
    British Footwear Association
    Promoting the British footwear industry and acting as an employers association for British footwear manufacturing firms
    
    Independent Footwear Retailers Association
    Retail footwear industry association
    
  • Furniture
    Association of British Furniture Manufacturers
    British Furniture Industry Association
    
  • Glass
    The British Glass Manufacturers' Confederation
    UK's glass industry Association
    
    Glass and Glazing Federation
    GGF is the recognised leading authority for employers and companies within the flat glass, glazing, window, home improvement, automotive, plastics and film industries. GGF members can be found in over 1500 business locations.
    
  • Jewellery
    British Jewellers' Association
    The BJA represents the interests of over 500 member companies, large and small, involved in all aspects of jewellery and silverware production
    
    British Jewellery and Giftware Federation
    The British Jewellery and Giftware Federation (BJGF) is a long established trade body representing the interests of firms working within the sectors of Jewellery, Giftware, leather goods, surface engineering, art metal wear.
    
    National Association of Goldsmiths
    The Association promotes high professional and ethical standards among its membership to inspire consumer confidence and to enhance the reputation of its members.
    Membership comprises professional retail jewellers, both independents and multiples

• Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals
  Association of British Health-Care Industries
  UK trade association for the medical systems industry: manufacturers / suppliers of medical devices, equipment and services.
  
  Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)
  UK trade association for prescription medicines manufacturers
  
• Information Technology, Electronics and Telecommunications
  Federation of the Electronics Industry
  Information and communications technology, defence electronics, electronic components, office technology
  
  Professional Contractors Group (PCG)
  Represents the interests of small business in the knowledge - based sector mainly in information technology and engineering
  
  Federation of Communication Services Ltd
  Mobile communications industry - promotion and representation of the delivery of communication services to customers
  
  Communications & Information Technology Association.
  
• Marketing and Communications
  Periodical Publishers Association
  Trade association for UK magazine and B2B media publishers
  
  The Direct Marketing Association
  Trade association in the marketing and communications sector: direct mail, telemarketing, e-commerce
  
  British Promotional Merchandise Association
  UK Association of promotional and merchandise products suppliers
  
  Institute of Direct Marketing
  The IDM is the internationally recognised leading body for the professional development of interactive and direct marketing
  
  
• Paper industry and pulp
  British Printing Industries Federation
  Business support organisation for employers in the printing, packaging and graphic communications industry in UK
  
  British Coatings Association
  UK Trade association for the decorative, industrial and powder coatings and printing inks manufacturing industry
  
  Corrugated Packaging Association (CPA)
  It supports the interests of its members by providing a nation wide voice for the industry, comprehensive and reliable statistics, NVQ's human resource and health and safety advice.
  
  National Association of Paper Merchants
  The National Association of Paper Merchants is the trade association representing the interests of UK paper merchants
  
  Independent Waste Paper Processors Association
  The Trade Association for Independent Waste Paper Merchants and their equipment suppliers
  
  
• Plastic Industry
  British Plastic Federation
  UK Association for the manufacturers of polymers, additives and machinery as well as all types of plastics processors and fabricators
  
  
• Ports and Harbours
  Society of Maritime Industries
  Web portal provides information on marine equipment for all types of commercial and naval ships, ports, offshore oil and gas facilities and pollution prevention, control and clean-up. Also services such as port design, oil spill contractors, engineering and consulting
  
  
• Services to companies
  The Trade Association Forum (TAF)
  This site is an excellent source of information for those looking to find out more about UK trade associations and business sectors. The Trade Association Forum (TAF) encourages the development and sharing of best practice among UK trade associations, and promotes the role of effective trade associations to government, industry and the wider public. The site carries a very useful Directory, through which you can find a trade association, guild or federation by industry name or organisation name. There is also information on relevant issues such as product viability laws, availability of Best Practice workshops, employment relations, just to mention a few. TAF publications can be downloaded from the site in pdf format at no charge. There is also advice for those looking to create new trade associations. Other services available include online discussions for registered TAF members, an Events page covering seminars and workshops, members of the public can post their CV's on the site and check our current vacancies, and Supplier Members can post information about their businesses on site relating to their companies products and services.

• Transports
  The Road Haulage Association (RHA)
  Provides campaigning, advice, information and business services tailored for the haulage industry. They use their buying power to negotiate exclusive savings on a range of key haulage services, saving members time and money. RHA members can get immediate advice in solving industry problems from interpreting legislation to checking out Health and Safety issues. More specialist help is also available, plus a wealth of leaflets and publications accessible through the site. The Events page provides information on national and international events that can be booked online The Press Releases page carries up to date news on important issues. Help is available on the Advice and Information page on a wide range of topics. The site also offers a number of business services designed to help you run your business efficiently and cost-effectively. There is a lot of useful information on this site, which includes an online currency converter, security services, information on fuel pricing and much more.
  
  The Association of Road Traffic Safety and Management
  Association of UK Manufacturers or suppliers of road signs and control equipment
  
  British International Freight Association
  The primary body representing the UK international freight services industry
  
  Intelligent Transport Society for the United Kingdom
  The society aims to promote the use of intelligent transport with in the United Kingdom and to promote the use of British ITS Technology overseas
  
  Railway Forum
  The Railway Forum is the industry-wide body promoting the growth of a safe, efficient and affordable railway in the UK. It is the only UK railway group that represents the majority of the industry. This includes operating companies, rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCO´s), infrastructure providers, equipment suppliers, Network Rail, London Underground Limited and Euro Tunnel. The Docklands Light Railway is a full member and the Passenger Transport Executive Group is an associate. In addition the Railway Industry Association (RIA) and ATOC are members and play a full part in Railway Forum Council activities
  
  United Kingdom Warehousing Association
  The Association represents third party logistics companies in the United Kingdom and this web site offers:
  
  The Freight Transport Association
  It represents the transport interest of some11,000 companies moving goods by road, rail, sea and air. FTA members operate over 200,000 goods vehicles - almost half the UK fleet. In addition, they consign over 90 per cent of the freight moved by rail and over 70 per cent of sea and air freight.

• Wines and Breweries
  The Wine and Spirit Association
  British Association representing shippers & distributors of wine & imported spirits
  
  Brewing, Food & Beverage Industry Suppliers Association
  UK Suppliers and Producers for the Brewing Industry Associations: equipment, raw materials, ancillary products and services associated with the manufacture, distribution and retailing of Beverage & Food Products.
  
  The Scotch Whisky Association
  UK Association representing distillers, blenders, brand owners of scotch whisky
  
  
• Wood
  Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation
  UK National Trade Association representing the interests of the timber packaging industry – principally manufacturers of timber pallets, packing cases/crates and export packers
  
  British Wood Preserving & Damp-Proofing Association
  Members include manufacturers and distributors of preservatives and damp control products, flame retardants and timber treatment plants; producers and users of treated timber and specialists in remedial timber treatment and damp proofing; universities, colleges, learned societies and research organisations in the UK and worldwide; independent consultants and private members
  
  British Woodworking Federation
  The voice of the woodworking industry representing manufacturers, distributors and installers of doors, windows, conservatories, staircases, architectural joinery and timber frame buildings and engineered timber components. Also represents an increasing number of supplies to the industry
  
  Woodworking Machinery Suppliers Association
  Promotes the UK woodworking machinery industry throughout the world
  
  Forestry & Timber Association
  Great Britain's leading association for all those involved in woodlands