agenda

Think London showcases capital FDI

Think London, the offi cial foreign direct investment agency for the capital, has launched its ‘100 companies to watch’ list, naming 100 international businesses that have made or are making signifi cant contributions to the city. A mix of sectors and company sizes are represented against eight groups that include industry innovators; go-ahead globalisers; green pioneers; niche and nimble, knowledge champions; intelligent optimisers; fl agships and great inventions. Pere Matamales, CEO of Worldwide Retail Store, one of the companies featured in the list, said: “London is the perfect place to understand retail trends and customer needs and to develop the right pro u

right products in the best way.”

COUNTDOWN IS ON 15 March marked the ‘500

500

UK and Indian CEOs back new forum

The fi rst meeting of the India-UK CEO Forum has taken place at Downing Street. The initiative follows an agreement between Prime Minister David Cameron and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (pictured above) during the Government’s delegation to India last July. Speaking at the forum, David Cameron

said: “This is for me to listen to what the CEOs are saying about what needs to change in Britain to make us more attractive and what needs to change in India to increase the fl ows of investment both ways.” The forum launch was followed

by a working lunch and further talks. Delegates included group chief executive of Standard Chartered, Peter Sands, who said: “India and the UK enjoy strong cultural, business and economic

ties. They also share many an

complementary strengths and similar challenges for the future. Both India and the UK will benefi t from greater trade and investment, and broadening and deepening their collaboration. The India-UK CEO Forum has an important role in making this happen. Given the strength of the CEOs involved and the strong support of both governments, I am excited about what it can achieve.” Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata said:

“I would hope the India-UK CEO Forum is able to help build trade and investment between the two countries to a level approaching its potential. We intend to look at a range of sectors and ideas on how this could be facilitated by government and industry, from both countries, working together.”

days to go’ countdown to the 2012

London Olympics. Lloyds TSB Business forecasts the Games will generate an estimated £21bn for the UK economy, with a 30 per cent uplift in exports.

DAY So

South Korea Free Trade Agreement o

Fr

offers UK boost The UK has welcomed the

signing of the EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Removing virtually all tariffs

a year for U

betwe between the EU and South Korea from Jululy, it is worth an extra £500m ar for UK fi rms based on current trading patterns alone. This will result in £1.4bn of savings in duties per year for EU exporters and will generate new opportunities for UK companies, particularly in legal and fi nancial services, pharmaceuticals, advanced engineering and the low-carbon industry, including the renewables sector.

fro Korean Trade Minister Jong-hoon

Kim (pictured below) said: “The EU- South Korea FTA is the fi rst FTA the EU has concluded with an Asian country and it will serve as a springboard for British business and industry to advance in the biggest emerging market of the world.”

springboard: | page 10