As an entry-point to Europe or as a dynamic home market, the UK bursts with investment attractions.

Population:	59.8m
Area:	243,305 sq km
Labour force:	9.7m
	2000	2001
GDP:	£945bn	£991bn
Real GDP growth:	3.1%	2.4%
Inflation:	2.4%	1.9%
GDP per capita:	£15,803	£16,572
Merchandise trade with Australia (2000/2001):
Exports to Australia:	£2308m
Imports from Australia:	£1696m
Trade surplus with Australia:	£612m
Services trade to Australia (2000):
Exports to Australia:	£1379m
Imports from Australia:	£1248m
Services trade surplus:	£130m
Major UK exports to Australia (2000/2001):
Medicaments (inc. veterinary)	£289m
Aircraft and parts	£250m
Telecommunications equipment	£201m
Printed matter	£120m
Passenger/motor vehicles	£106m
Merchandise trade with New Zealand (2000/2001)
Exports to New Zealand:	£353m
Imports from New Zealand:	£448m
Trade deficit with NZ:	£94m
(Services figures unavailable)
Major exports to New Zealand (2000/2001) Manufactures including vehicles, machinery and electrical equipment. Also pharmaceuticals and printed matter.
Exchange rates (01Mar02):	£1=A$2.74	A$=£0.36
	£1=NZ$3.36	NZ$=£0.30
Investment destinations Most attractive investment destinations Index: AT Kearney
FDI leader in Europe Japanese FDI into the EU by country Source: MoF, Japan
Financial centres Number of foreign banks Source: Bank of England

The UK is the top investment location in Europe. Such success does not come from low wages – it comes from raising skills, improving management and processes, and creating high-margin, high-value goods from skilled, flexible and well-paid workers. It also comes from constant innovation and investment in new products, services, design, materials and production technologies.

Companies investing in the UK benefit from a modern, deregulated, low cost telecommunications infrastructure, low personal and corporate tax rates and a skilled and adaptable workforce. The UK Government has a commitment to lasting economic stability, dependability and democratic freedom, giving foreign companies the reassurance they need from an investment destination in a turbulent global environment.

The links between the UK and Australia are so self-evident they hardly bear detailed analysis. Australian and New Zealand companies overwhelmingly choose the UK as their European base, drawn by the ties of history as well as language, culture, business environment and the UK’s own particular economic attractions. When young Australians or Kiwis set out to experience the world, their path inevitably leads to London. The same is true for Australian businesses looking to the vast single European market.

Investment into the UK is increasingly in high quality, value-added and technology-driven projects in the IT, communications, biotech and R&D sectors. One of the main drivers for this investment is the excellence of British universities and extensive research centres.

Inward investment has itself brought the world’s finest ideas to the UK, further fertilising the UK’s environment as a centre of innovation, technological and financial expertise. Overseas capital and British know-how are a world-beating combination.

It is 101 years since Queen Victoria signed the document that granted Australia the right to join its colonies together as a single and independent nation. The warmth with which the current Queen was greeted during her recent Jubilee visit for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Brisbane shows that the British connection is alive and well. And while the monarchy may not be a long-term survivor Down Under, the close ties between UK and Australasian businesses are certain to endure for many years to come.