The UK's Economic and Business Strengths

• The UK's fundamental strengths are undiminished by the economic crisis, and they place the UK in a strong position to benefit as the recovery gathers pace. 
• These strengths include:
• 
  
• The UK remains one of the world's leading economies. It is the world’s sixth largest economy and trading nation, one of its top ten manufacturers, and the second largest exporter of services.
• 
  
• The UK provides a unique gateway of international connections that makes it a magnet for many global businesses. The UK's membership of the EU give companies located in the UK privileged access to the world's largest single market, with nearly 500 million consumers. More foreign companies have their European headquarters in the UK than in France and Germany put together.
• 
  
• The UK is one of the most open economies in the world, welcoming trade and investment from overseas, including from sovereign wealth funds. The 2011 UNCTAD World Investment Report shows that the UK is the most favoured destination in Europe for foreign direct investment, and the third worldwide.
• 
  
• The UK has strong public institutions, a stable regulatory environment, and a respected independent judiciary.
• 
  
• The UK is the easiest place in Europe to set up and run a business, and has one of its most dynamic and flexible labour markets. The World Bank rated the UK first in Europe and fourth in the world in its “Ease of Doing Business” ranking.
• 
  
• The City of London remains the world's premier international centre, not just for financial services but also for legal and other business services. London was ranked in first place in the 2011 Global Financial Centres Index.
• 
  
• Other sectors in which the UK companies lead the world include advanced engineering, aerospace, architecture, biotechnology & pharmaceuticals, creative industries, energy and renewables, information & communications technology, and retailing.
• 
  
• The UK is a world leader in innovation, ranking second only to the US in the quality of its research base. The UK's top universities rank among the very best in the world, and we have won more Nobel Prizes than any country other than the US. The UK has created five of the world’s top twenty best-selling medicines.
• 
  
• The UK is the home of the English language: widely accepted as the language of international business, science and technology.
• 
  
• The UK’s new anti-bribery legislation is among the most modern and robust in the world, and underlines the UK’s attractiveness as a place to do business.

Read more here...