About UKTI

About UKTI

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Government's international business development organisation.

The UK has a compelling business offer, based on its business friendly environment, political and economic stability, world-class creative talent, and strong research and development base. Business knows the UK isn't simply an investment destination; it is an investment multiplier, acting as a springboard for global growth. 

With teams based in offices around the world, and a network of specialists throughout the UK, we promote the UK as the place in which, and with which, to do business; and we help businesses grow and succeed across national boundaries.

UKTI brings together the work of its two parent departments: the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

More than 2,300 people work for UKTI, based in our Headquarters in London and Glasgow, in the Nine English regions and in British diplomatic posts in around 100 countries. We also work closely with Devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We work in support of UK businesses, and market the UK's strengths to potential investors, to ensure we seize the opportunities of globalisation and ensure the UK's future prosperity.

We channel our efforts to those sectors and markets where we can add most value: in knowledge driven, high value sectors and R&D which bring the greatest return to the UK economy, and in markets with the highest potential for growth. Currently, these include six priority sectors;

  • Financial Services
  • Creative Industries
  • Life Sciences
  • ICT
  • Energy
  • Advanced Engineering

In April 2008 we also became responsible for defence export support. The UK has a world class defence industry with internationally renowned and leading companies that drove the UK to the number one spot of the global defence exports league table in 2007. Support for this sector is delivered by UKTI Defence & Security Organisation.

Along with mature economies including the US, Japan, France and Germany, we have identified seventeen high growth markets including Brazil, Russia, India and China.

Find out more about our work

  • Latest UKTI news

  • Photo of the Tyne Bridge

    EU-S. Korea trade deal will bring £500m benefit to British business

    With the EU set to agree a Free Trade Agreement with South Korea, the world's 13th largest economy, a new report has outlined the 100 most promising business opportunities for British firms, which are expected to benefit by £500 million on current trading patterns alone. more

    For all the latest UKTI news click here

Media Resources

Media Resources

Visit our Media Resources section to discover the wealth of information and supporting resources available about UKTI... more