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UK Trade & Investment brings together the work of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. They focus on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They promote the UK internationally and highlight trade and investment opportunities. In Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, UKTI regional services are now delivered by Serco, In China, the China Britain Business Council, another private body, is the provider.īusiness and university leaders work with UKTI as "business ambassadors". The delivery of many UKTI regional services within the United Kingdom is contracted out to other organisations. Across its network UK Trade & Investment employs around 2,400 staff and advisers, including overseas in British Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates and trade offices, and regional offices in the nine English regions UK Trade & Investment is an international organisation with headquarters in London and Glasgow in Scotland. The UK is the 2nd highest recipient of investment in the world. To support its aim to "enhance the competitiveness of companies in Britain through overseas trade and investments and attract a continuing high level of quality foreign direct investment". In October 2003, the former department name and two inner departments merged and became UK Trade & Investment to simplify the outward recognition of the organisation, and possibly to reduce confusion with the two departments. UKTI was formed in May 1999 as British Trade International, comprising two parts: Trade Partners UK (for export promotion) and Invest UK (for inward investment - FDI).
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