§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are being taken to increase foreign direct investment to the UK. [83662]
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§ Nigel GriffithsInvest-UK in London and overseas promotes the UK as the top inward investment location in Europe and works in partnership with all of the UK's Development Agencies to attract the maximum level of inward investment.
In the first three weeks of November Invest-UK has spearheaded initiatives at several events to promote the UK overseas, including:
- UK(5)IT Bangalore—28 October to 1 November
- Israel Telecoms Exhibition 2002—4 to 7 November
- BioScandinavia in Copenhagen to promote the UK as the place for R&D—14 November
- UK@Comdex, Las Vegas—15 to 22 November.
Investment conditions are challenging but Invest-UK helped with 123 successes in the first half of 2002, slightly more than in the first half of 2001. In order to boost our effort, we are taking on further staff and improving our client presentations and communication systems.