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The South East has a Gross Value Added (GVA) of £158 billion (approx $290 billion / €230 billion). This is similar to that of Norway and Austria. |
With a population of eight million and a workforce of 4.2 million, the South East is the largest region in the UK. |
Approximately 287,200 VAT registered enterprises are present in the South East, more than any other UK region. |
The South East is the largest exporter in the UK, with £29 billion (approx $52 billion / €41 billion) of goods moved in 2004. |
The labour force is highly educated with 90% of the working age population holding an academic qualification and over one third of the workforce holding a degree. |
Workers with good language skills are readily available in the region due to the truly international workforce of 585,000 people who were born outside of the UK. |
Around nine working days a year are lost per employee due to sickness, the lowest amount for a UK region. |
The region is home to 24 universities and higher education institutes, where nearly 200,000 study. This includes the University of Oxford, one of the most prestigious universities in the world. |
South East universities work very closely with business, with over 2800 research conracts won annually, higher than any other UK region. |
The region's 24 universities and higher education institutes supply over 73,000 graduates per annum. |
£4.66 billion (approx $3.06 billion / €2.43 billion) is spent on R&D annually, nearly one quarter of UK expenditure. |
South East organisations undertaking R&D employ 45,800 people, which is almost 25% of the UK R&D workforce. |
The South East has the highest number of patents granted in the UK. The statistics show that 820 patents, over 20% of the UK total were granted to firms based in the South East in 2004-5. |
There are 6,540 foreign-owned companies in the South East. |
With three international airports, 11 sea ports, 108 motorway junctions, 77 train stations and access to the Channel Tunnel, the South East has one of the most extensive transport infrastructures in Europe. |
Heathrow, the world's busiest international passenger airport, is home to over 90 airlines serving approximately 186 destinations. It handles over 67 million passengers and 1.3 million tonnes of freight each year. |
It takes 35 minutes to travel through the Channel Tunnel between the UK and mainland Europe. Most major towns in the South East are connected by rail to central London with a journey time of under an hour. |
Almost one third of the land in the South East (637,000 hectares) is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), more than any other UK region. |
In 2004-5, the South East had the second lowest crime rate in England with 8,983 reported crimes per 100,000 people. |
94% of the South East population is in good or fairly good health, which is higher than any other UK region. |
Eurostar has set a record for the quickest train journey between Paris and London of just 2 hours, 3 minutes and 39 seconds, meaning a typical journey will take just over 2 hours when the line opens in November 2007. |
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| More about InvestSouthEastEngland.co.uk |
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19 March 2007
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Welcome to InvestSouthEastEngland.co.uk - our website will give you an introduction to growing your business in Europe from the UK’s South East region.
The region is home to many of the world's most successful international companies and it is an important base for UK, European and Global operations. Plus many exciting new businesses and technologies are developing here – you could be one of them.
South East England includes the cities of Oxford, Southampton, Portsmouth, Chichester, Brighton, Winchester and Canterbury. These locations offer key facilities, industry clusters and the workforce required by international business to achieve a successful and profitable business in the UK and Europe.
The quality of life available outside London, with competitive overhead costs, and a sophisticated infrastructure in an open and flexible business environment are all reasons why the region is home to over 6,500 foreign owned companies.
About our Service
The South East’s International Business Team is made up of experts from The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) South East. The team provides free, confidential advice and support to international businesses looking to locate in the South East or expand their business in the region.
We help with issues which are key to the profitability of your international operation.
- Should you rent or buy your business premises when setting up in the South East?
- Where is the highest concentration of businesses in your industry?
- How can you make sure that you are located conveniently for your customers, competitors and suppliers?
- What facilities do you need access to?
- Where is the most cost effective solution in the region from which to grow your UK and Global market place?
SEEDA can help by providing information, by organising visits to the region and by introducing you to key contacts. The team is vastly experienced in helping businesses establish themselves here and can ensure that you find the right property to suit your business needs, both immediately and in the future.
Within this website you will find key information about the UK’s South East, including details about:
- Highly-skilled, talented workers, the largest regional workforce in the UK
- The most extensive transport network in Europe
- Potential partners including 24 world class universities and higher education institutes, scientific institutions and other businesses
- The thriving economy (equivalent in size to Austria and Norway)
- The best quality of life in the UK
- A wealth of different industry sectors of critical mass
- Important financial and legal considerations
- Case studies of those we have already helped.
Whatever your requirement, we have the experience and intelligence to ensure you make the right decisions for your business, saving you time and resources.
About SEEDA
The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) is the Regional Development Agency for South East England and is actively working to promote sustainable economic development, encompassing enterprise and investment in the South East. SEEDA has the contacts, networks and links to help provide free advice to help establish and assist the growth of profitable businesses in the region. It is funded by the UK government.
Visit SEEDA online at: www.seeda.co.uk
About UK Trade & Investment South East
UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that helps businesses to trade overseas. We provide essential export advice and expertise, through our network of locally based International Trade Advisers and Trade Development Officers at British embassies, consulates and High Commissions worldwide.
Visit UKTI South East online at: www.uktisoutheast.com
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