UK Trade & Investment

Infobox_Company
company_name = UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)
company_
company_type = UK Government
foundation = Foreign and Commonwealth Office and BERR

location = London and Glasgow
key_people = Baron Jones of Birmingham (Minister of State for Trade), Andrew Cahn (CEO), Prince Andrew, Duke of York (Special Representative)| products = Export advice and Inward Investment support
homepage = [http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk]
[http://www.ukinvest.gov.uk www.ukinvest.gov.uk]

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in an increasingly global economy. Its range of expert services are tailored to the needs of individual businesses to maximise their international success. It provides companies with knowledge, advice and practical support.

To support its aim to "enhance the competitiveness of companies in the UK through overseas trade and investments; and attract a continuing high level of quality foreign direct investment".

UK Trade & Investment offers services to UK based firms wanting to gain access to global markets through export, and foreign based firms wanting to use the UK as a base to expand globally.

UK Trade & Investment is an international organisation with headquarters in London and Glasgow. Across its network UK Trade & Investment employs around 2,300 staff and advisers, including overseas in UK embassies, high commissions, consulates and trade offices, and in the nine English regions.

UK Trade & Investment brings together the work of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). It draws staff and associated administration funding from both parent departments, but has its own stream of programme funding, for which the Chief Executive is directly responsible as accounting officer.

Digby Jones, Baron Jones of Birmingham is its Chairman and Minister of State for Trade.

Andrew Cahn was appointed Chief Executive in March 2006.

UKTI: Defence & Security Organisation

On 1st April 2008 the UKTI Defence and Security Organisation, which will be responsible for some of the previous functions of the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO), was formed. DESO's closure came in responce to massive public pressure spearheaded by a campaign from London based NGO Campaign Against Arms Trade, and supported by a myriad of other campaignng organisations.

Currently headed by Richard Paniguian CBE, the UKTI DSO provides all defence and security related advice within UK Trade & Investment. [ [http://www.deso.mod.uk/about.htm] ] Anti-arms trade activists such as CAAT have pledged to monitor that the newly formed department does not monopolise a disproportionate amount of it resources, given that military exports account for only 2% of total UK exports. [ [http://www.caat.org.uk/publications/intro-briefing-2006.php#referbox] ]

The three UKTI Defence & Security Organisation Regional Directorates (RD) offer assistance and advice on specific markets and prospects, co-ordinate Government support and provide a single point of contact for customer countries.

* RD Central covers the Middle East, South and Central Asia and Africa * RD East covers the Far East and Australasia * RD West covers Europe, the Americas and Russia

The Business Development Directorate includes a team which carries out market analysis of the global defence export market, a team which provides specialised support for Small and Medium sized Enterprises and a team which co-ordinates participation in UK and overseas defence and security exhibitions.There is also a team responsible for implementing MoD's Industrial Participation policy.

The Security Directorate provides support for defence and civil companies in the security sector.Military Advice

UKTI Defence & Security Organisation’s military staff provide advice and support on military doctrine, equipment and services. All have experience gained in operational environments.

Royal Navy – UKTI Defence & Security Organisation has specialists in Above Water Warfare, Under Water Warfare, Naval Aviation, Engineering, Logistics and Support.

In coordination with the fleet programme, the RN team sponsors Defence Industry Days (DID) and Private Company Visits (PCV) around the world. On board a visiting RN ship, UK companies can display their products to foreign guests, including politicians, senior military officers and procurement decision makers.

Army – UKTI Defence & Security Organisation Army officers currently represent a range of different capabilities, experience and skills.

The Export Support Team (EST) is made up of serving military personnel across a number of capbadges with a wide range of experience. These personnel provide demonstrations of in-service equipment, but can also work in support of companies marketing other UK products with an export potential.

Royal Air Force – RAF officers in UKTI Defence & Security Organisation cover the full spectrum of offensive and defensive air systems, together with Logistics, Training and Simulations, Electronic Warfare, Information and Surveillance and C4I. They deploy in support of marketing campaigns and coordinate Service support to air systems evaluations and flying displays.

External links

* [http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk Official UKTI website]
* [http://www.ukinvest.gov.uk Inward Investment Services website]