Are you an Oxfordshire business with experience helping investors navigate the UK market? If the answer is yes – then you can apply to the UK Investment Support Directory to connect with investors from around the world.
The Department for International Trade (DIT) has this week announced UK businesses can apply to be included on a list of companies able to support overseas firms to set-up or expand in the UK.
A refresh of the former UK Advisory Network – the UK Investment Support Directory – will provide investors with a list of British businesses with experience, helping overseas firms to set-up or expand operations in the UK.
Minister for Investment, Graham Stuart said: “This support directory is just one of the ways in which DIT is helping to drive investment to every corner of the UK.
“We are making it easier than ever before for foreign investors to find opportunities in the UK, supported by our network of HMTCs and global experts across more than 100 countries.”
Membership to the directory will be free and provides a great opportunity for businesses looking to further expand their network or increase their visibility to foreign investors across new international markets.
The directory will simplify the link between investors and experienced UK businesses and will ensure necessary support is easy to find when needed. It will also help promote the expertise of the UK’s service sector to investors across the globe.
Overall – Oxfordshire remains one of the most attractive locations anywhere in the UK for international investment. A total of 93 foreign direct investment ‘projects’ were secured during the last fiscal year (2017/2018), leading to the creation of 1,315 new jobs for Oxfordshire – an additional 403 jobs were also safeguarded in the process.
The Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) Head of Innovation and Inward Investment – Sebastian Johnson – says that the new directory provides great opportunities for businesses in the county, particularly those already trading internationally.
Sebastian said: “Given that membership to the directory is free, applying to the new UK Investment Support Directory is a great opportunity for Oxfordshire businesses, in particular those perhaps already working with international investors.”
Applications to join the new directory will close on Monday 17 December. Businesses will find out if their application has been successful in early-2019 with the new directory expected to launch in spring 2019.
