London offers major business opportunities for Japanese companies

08-Apr-2008

Think London, the foreign direct investment agency for London, is showcasing opportunities for Japanese businesses looking to expand and grow in London. As the UK capital prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, London’s economy is forecast to grow $80 billion by 2012 and will offer significant opportunities for Japanese companies looking to invest there.

Michael Charlton, Chief Executive, Think London is visiting Japan from 9-16 April to meet with Japanese businesses in key sectors for London and hold a business briefing in Tokyo. Companies looking to invest in London are encouraged to attend Think London’s ‘2012 Opportunities for Business Growth in London’ seminar on 14 April 2008 at the Japan Bank for International Cooperation offices in Central Tokyo, where Mr Charlton will discuss how the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will create opportunities for foreign businesses in London.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Michael Charlton said: “We believe that many Japanese businesses are well placed to benefit from the investment opportunities presented by London’s predicted economic growth of $80 billion by 2012 as well as those relating to the 2012 Games. Think London is ready to support Japanese companies looking to take advantage of these opportunities and globalise their businesses by using London as a gateway into Europe and beyond.

“Like London, Tokyo is looking to host the Games in 2016 and I hope this seminar is mutually beneficial. London is the perfect springboard for businesses looking to go global, with fast access to a range of customers, markets, ideas and finance - all aimed at helping businesses operate on a global scale.”

Japan has traditionally been a significant source of investment in the UK and 2008 marks the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Japan and the UK.

The UK attracts approximately a third of all Japanese foreign direct investment into Europe, and London accounts for one in six of these investments. Think London has assisted 40 Japanese companies to establish and grow their operations in the capital since 2003 including Uniqlo (Fast Retailing), Nissan Design Europe, Sosei, Square Enix, Takeda Pharmaceuticals and House Foods.

To assist Japanese companies interested in setting up in London, the Think London website is now available in Japanese at www.thinklondon.com/japan.

To read this release in Japanese, please click here

Think London provides free, confidential and comprehensive advice to help international businesses set up and grow in London. The FDI agency for London is able to assist companies who are interested in applying for any one of the 2,000 main contracts and the further estimated 50,000 supply chain contracts available in relation to 2012. Think London has a well established track record of helping businesses establish themselves in the capital and has helped more than 1,000 companies from 43 countries since 1994.