Department for International Trade
The DIT helps businesses export and grow into global markets as well as, helping oversees companies locating and growing the UK.
TVCC are a key delivery partner for the work of the DIT, the National Government body responsible for promoting the UK as a leading business location and supporting companies to export into new international markets. Additionally, we work closely with academic institutions, Local Authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships across the region.
INVEST in GREAT … Join one of the world’s major trading nations, an established, business friendly environment with a sophisticated research and innovation landscape…
The world’s 5th largest economy
A population of over 65 million, a major market
Steady growth forecast for UK through to 2022 (IMF)
No. 1 in Europe for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
1st for online retail exports in Europe
672,890 new businesses set up in 2019
No. 1 choice in Europe for key strategic investments
Ranks 8th globally for ease of doing business
Every year, the DIT helps thousands of businesses get set-up in the UK, continuing to attract a vast array of companies because of its many benefits.
The UK offers an established, business-friendly environment, with economic stability and commercial security, all of which continues to attract the very best talent from around the world. The UK has long been recognised as a leading global business centre with a world-class regulatory and legal system and a leading financial services industry.
The UK is ranked 5th on the Global Innovation Index with a thriving ecosystem for turning ideas into commercial success. We have a world-leading reputation in science, research and innovation and are ranked fifth overall. The index identifies particular strengths in our world-class universities and research institutions, in the quality of our scientific publications, the quality of the infrastructure that supports innovation and the sophistication of our financial markets. The UK also boasts the lowest Corporation Tax rate in the G20. In 2020, the UK will maintain its rate of 19% and no withholding tax on dividends.
Companies in the UK also have access to a highly-skilled workforce. Businesses can make good of the pioneering and refined workforce, home to three of the best five universities in the world for preclinical, clinical and health subjects, and two of the top three universities for life sciences.
Click on the DIT Investment Prospectus to read more.
Above: Invest in GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland – Welcome to a land alive with opportunity and right: 5 Reasons to invest in the UK
Global Opportunity
The UK has a reach that stretches far beyond its borders to every sector and business capital in the world. The UK is the biggest service exporter in Europe and the second-largest in the world. In 2019, the value of UK trade in total was up by 4.8% from 2018, standing at £1,407.3 billion.
The DIT has a range of information on each sector including …
Life sciences & Healthcare
Home of the life sciences and healthcare innovation, suppling well evidenced technologies, products, services, and solutions – offering globally unique biomedical ecosystem matched with powerful research data and the scale of our National Health Service (NHS).
For more information, click HERE.
Technology
Technology businesses are at the heart of the economy, making cities greener and underpinning the financial, health, manufacturing and mobility sectors. With one of the world’s largest technology ecosystem, constructed of thousands of tech start–ups, built around a strong entrepreneurial culture.
For more information, click HERE.
Automotive
The UK has the highest productivity of major European car producers, a world-leading motorsport sector, and a huge range of specialist engineering consultancies, putting it at the cutting edge of the automotive industry.
For more information, click HERE.
The DIT can help any company to take advantage of new business opportunities and branch out to new locations, with their range of services, including …
Client focused services
DIT may be big, but a dedicated account manager will act as a single point of contact and the gateway to a large network of specialist advisors, policy influencers and key local partner contacts.
UK business environment
Specialists work on every aspect of the policies and procedures that affect business, such as tax, planning, permission, employment law, visas and grant opportunities – providing access to straightforward advice when it is needed.
Business sector knowledge
Whatever industry you work in, DIT has people who have worked in your industry and understand it. The sector specialists at DIT know the market opportunities and have contacts to help you succeed.
Maximising your global potential
Once you are established in the UK, DIT can help your company to take advantage of new business opportunities and branch out to new locations – both in the UK and overseas.
Long-term investment
It’s not just about bringing business to the UK. DIT’s services are based on building an understanding of long-term strategic objectives and helping investors achieve them.
The DIT Investment Service Team (IST)
DIT-IST delivers an end-to-end investment service, connecting investors to a wide range of support services including access to market opportunities, introductions to the right people, help setting up in the UK, bespoke market research, help in selecting the best market location and on-going government support.
End-to-end service for foreign companies looking to invest and expand
Connecting investors into a large network of policy and business support
Working across all sectors and markets
Managing the FDI pipeline
Ensuring that the voice of foreign-owned businesses is heard in Whitehall
120 FDI professionals UK wide
Government Industrial Strategy
The Government’s long-term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK was officially unveiled in its Industrial Strategy: building a Britain fit for the future. Across five foundations for a transformed economy and four Grand Challenges (Artificial Intelligence and Data; Clean Growth; Future Mobility and Ageing Society), the Government aims to put the UK at the forefront of industries of the future. It also seeks to not just lead the world in the fourth industrial revolution but to ensure that every part of our country powers that success.
One year following publication, the Government reported on its achievements, including specific examples from the Thames Valley:
The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce facilitated Life Sciences partnership, chaired by Bayer
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Centrica’s Hive Link, a new smart home service designed to recognise unusual activity or changes in a loved one’s routine – all to help meet the needs of an ageing society
AI firm, Oxbotica, developing autonomous vehicle software, as it begins to test its ideas on UK roads
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Building long-term strategic partnerships
With 76,000 new jobs created by foreign direct investment since the inception of the Industrial Strategy, partnerships between government and business on sector-specific issues can create significant opportunities to boost employment, innovation, productivity, and skills.
Key UK industries are already working with Government to agree Sector Deals, which call for robust and trailblazing proposals that will transform productivity in the particular field. In collaboration with leadership in the sector, several have already been published, including those for Life Sciences, Aerospace, Automotive and Artificial Intelligence.
