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United Kingdom

Economy: The UK is a member of the G7 group of the world's leading industrial nations. Since the end of World War II, the UK has followed the trend among all major economies away from industrial production towards service industries, which now account for three-quarters of national income. The transition has often been painful, and although the UK is not unique in this respect - most Western European economies have undergone a similar process during the past 20 years - a worse situation might have occurred without the cushion of revenues from North Sea oil.
The UK's agricultural sector is strong (although it now employs less than two per cent of the workforce) and notably efficient by European standards, owing to its organisation into large-scale 'agri-business' enterprises. However, in the last few years, dubious practices which appear to have been rife throughout British agriculture contributed to two major outbreaks of disease (BSE and foot-and-mouth) which have caused havoc in the industry and the loss of billions of pounds in export income. Engineering (especially of military products), chemicals, electronics, construction and textiles are the main components of the industrial sector. Among service industries tourism, media, retail, financial services, telecommunications and computer services are the most important and have undergone rapid growth, while heavy industries have suffered relative decline.
The Conservative administration of the 1980s and early 1990s was the first in Western Europe to dismantle the mixed economy of private and state-owned industries that had become the standard model for members of the EU. Many former state-owned industries including oil, telecommunications, gas and electricity, were sold to private shareholders, while the Government imposed tight fiscal controls and enacted pro-business legislation. Controls on trade and on the movement of capital were removed. The model has since been adopted throughout both the industrialised and developing worlds and largely maintained by the Labour administration which took office in 1997.
The UK's external economic relations are now dominated by the EU (which accounts for 70 per cent of all UK trade), although there are other important trade links with the USA, the Far East and with members of the Commonwealth. Nonetheless, Europe dominates the economic agenda and the overriding issue facing the present and future governments is the extent to which it is willing to integrate into the European economy. The argument is now focused on whether Britain should adopt the single European currency, the Euro. Although the economy met the necessary criteria, the Government chose not to join up when the currency was introduced in 1999. The Government has since remained firmly on the fence; while many political and business leaders favour membership, there is huge opposition in the country at large. The conclusion of the debate may be decisive to Britain's economic future.

Business: Business people are generally expected to dress smartly (suits are the norm). Appointments should be made and the exchange of business cards is customary. A knowledge of English is essential. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900/0930-1700/1730.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Association of British Chambers of Commerce, Manning House, 22 Carlisle Place, London SW1P 1JA (tel: (020) 7565 2000; fax: (020) 7565 2049; e-mail: info@britishchambers.org.uk; website: www.britishchambers.org.uk).

Conferences/Conventions: The UK conference scene is well organised with several publications comprehensively listing every possible kind of venue (including dedicated centres, hotels, universities, football grounds, race courses, manor houses, castles and theatres). In addition regional and local tourist boards promote their own areas vigorously. London and Birmingham have an international reputation; there are several excellent conference venues. There are other towns with facilities of near comparable size, and comprehensive back-up services are available everywhere. Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Bristol are among the cities offering a variety of venues, whilst smaller towns such as Chester, Salisbury, York, Llandudno and Inverness offer uniquely attractive environments without sacrificing efficiency. The large political parties of the UK traditionally hold their conferences in seaside towns during the winter; locations include Blackpool (the famous Winter Gardens), Bournemouth and Brighton. Those looking for conventional venues will find the maximum seating capacity (19,000 persons) in London; however, if organisers wished to book Wembley Stadium they could probably do it, so, effectively, there is no upper limit. All parts of the UK are easily accessible by rail and air from London. The British Conference Destinations Directory gives brief regional details and is published by the British Association of Conference Destinations, Sixth Floor, Charles House, 148-149 Great Charles Street, Birmingham B3 3HT (tel: (0121) 212 1400; fax: (0121) 212 3131; e-mail: info@bacd.org.uk; website: www.bacd.org.uk).

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