Israel among top 20 countries investing in UK

UK Trade & Investment's annual FDI report says there were 16 new projects from Israel in 2009-10. PM Cameron: UK committed to helping world’s best companies thrive

Ynetnews |Published: 07.17.10 , 09:24

UK Trade & Investment on Wednesday unveiled national figures showing that a record numbers of countries invested in the UK in 2009/10. From Israel, there were a total of 16 projects, putting the Jewish state among the top 20 countries investing in the UK.

Richard Salt, director, UK Trade & Investment at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv said: "I am delighted that for the second year running, Israel has improved its standing among the top 20 investing countries in the UK, having overtaken Belgium and Hong Kong. I encourage more Israeli companies to act now to benefit from the huge investment opportunities on offer in the UK. I and my team at UK Trade & Investment based at the British Embassy, Tel Aviv, will do our utmost to help those companies to succeed."

Speaking Wednesday at UK Trade & Investment Business Summit to over 100 of the UK's leading investors, including representatives of Hutchison Whampoa, Motorola, Tata Group, Toyota, Siemens, Emirates, Fujitsu and Pfizer, Prime Minister David Cameron said that the Coalition Government is committed to helping the world’s best companies thrive and grow in the UK, and is putting policy towards inward investors at the heart of the country’s economy strategy.

“Attracting and retaining inward investment is hugely important for our economic recovery," he said.

“We want Britain to be a place where companies can grow and succeed, where the world’s best companies thrive, where great ideas and innovations are turned into great products and where we have a world-class workforce," Cameron added.

“We are determined to deliver the pro-business environment investors need; getting the deficit down to create certainty and stability, cutting business taxes, delivering flexible employment and cutting red tape and regulation. Whether your company is established here, expanding here or relocating here Britain is back open for business and it’s going to be better than before – and better than the competition.”

Business Secretary Dr. Vince Cable said, “This has been a difficult year for inward investment, which fell by around 10 percent throughout Europe. Against this background, the UK has attracted investment projects from a record number of countries creating a record number of jobs.

"Many countries still regard foreign investment with suspicion. By contrast, we welcome it for the capital, technology and jobs it brings to the UK. A consistently liberal and welcoming approach, over decades, has born fruit in making the UK an attractive destination," he added.

“We must fight to ensure that we maintain our position as the number one destination in Europe for inward investment. The role played by UK Trade & Investment has never been more important.”