This amply demonstrates the importance of providing added-value support to existing investors and finding ways of both matching and exceeding their expectations and needs. More than 90 per cent of all companies judge the general economic outlook in the UK, as satisfactory to excellent. Seventy-five per cent of all companies having similar operations in Germany judged their UK labour productivity as comparable or better. Adds Mr Slater: "Invest-UK works with government departments to overcome any difficulties investors may face and to make sure that their needs are taken into account when new legislation is introduced. On outcome of this has been the launch of an Inland Revenue helpline to advise potential investors who do not yet have a UK tax presence. Invest-UK works closely with the investor development teams in its 12 partner UK development agencies. As part of this collaboration a series of joint seminars were held to increase knowledge and share commercial intelligence or key business issues. Subjectscovered include dwere chemicals, automobiles, components, telecom, food and drink and tax.

Country-specific focus:
Says Blick Rothenberg Nilesh Shah: "If an Indian company wishes to set up its subsidiary an Indian investor has to invest pound 200,000. The investor is entitled to minimum tax capital, minimum laibility and economic considerations. The total size or the number of joint venture companies stand at 1,000 of which 170 companies are IT related companies." Blick RothenBerg Chartered Accountants and subsidiary BRAL Buisness Support Services have been assisting companies entering the UK market for over 50 years.

First steps:
According to Mr Shah: "The right corporate structure for your business can help you minimise tax - both int he UK and at home - and maximise investors returns. The choice between a representative office, branch, subsidiary or limited company can be confusing - and UK disclosure requirements may also affect your decisions. We have helped hundred of companies worldwide establishing the most profitable choice for them, while dealing with all the necessary statutory registrations." He says: "Understanding the market for your product and its selling environment - is vital. We can undertake the initial market research and develop a fully-costed market entry plan." Says Mr Shah: "When a company needs to raise funds, we provide introductions to banks and financial institutions.

Facilitating negotiations, determinign valuations and meeting one's due diligence requirements are central to our service." Says British Deputy High Commissioner Charles Molloy: "For smaller companies, we can provide an office address, along with telephone answering and message machines. Many clients find that using using our Regent's Park address gives them instant London credibility. Using our outsourced book-keeping, administration, payroll, VAT and debt-management srvices help clients meet their UK statutory and fiscal compliance obligations. And if costs have already been incurred in the UK, we will reclaim the VAT element (17.5 per cent) of the last year's expenses." He says: "When an Indian company would want to set up a subsidiary in UK, it would have to pay computer tax at the following rates.

Adds Mr Molloy: "As far as the personal tax is concerned an employee has to pay 40 per cent as the maximum personal tax rate. An employee who is a resident or non-resident, only has to pay tax on/work done on remittances. No local income-tax is applicable. Social security is payable by employee which is 10 per cent and 12.2 per cent. Says the London Stock Exchange (LSE) Caroline Goodman: "London being the first choice of international companies, the turnover in international shares in London in 1998 amounted to a record Pound 2,183 billion (US$3,645 billion). The LSE is the world's most liquid centre for international share trading." According to Ms Goodman: "The market offers international companies the benefit of enormous global visibility. Both the company's share price and its news announcements are carried on 80,000 information screens to potential investors worldwide."

Adds Goodman: "The LSE currently trades securities in over 32 different currencies and offers a full range of listingand trading facilities in euro-denominated products. In addition, London has taken the first step to a pan-European stock market with the announcement of a strategic alliance with Deutshce Borse in Frankfurt, reinforcing its position as Europe's financial capital." She adds: "For international companies and investors, London will continue to be the gateway to Europe and the world. Today more than 520 international companies are listed on The LSE with a combined market value of Pound 2,804 billion. Also, today there are over 7,700 eurobonds listed on the LSE issued by companies the world over." According to Goodman: "Some of the Indian companies listed on the LSE are State Bank of India, Aptech Ltd, MTNL, among others." Says Goodman: "International companies can list their equity directly on the LSE ,either as a primary or secondary listing. International shares are commonly bought by the whole range of investors, from private individuals to global institutions." She adds: "Many types of depository receiptscan be listed and traded in London, say global depository receipts, American depository receipts or euro depository receipts."