Britain one of most business-friendly places: Envoy

Britain's Deputy High Commissioner to Eastern India Scott Furssedonn-Wood Tuesday said it takes just 13 days to set up a business in his country, which makes it one of the world's most business-friendly countries.

Speaking at a seminar organised here by UK Trade and Investment, the British envoy said: "We already have the lowest corporation tax in the G8 nations. By 2015, it will be the lowest in the G20 countries. These are among the many reasons that Britain attracts more FDI (foreign direct investment) than any other country except the US."

"Quite simply, if you want to be global, Britain is the place to be," he said at the inauguration of the seminar - 'UK and Odisha in Partnership'.

Furssedonn-Wood said business ties between Britain and India are booming.

"We are on course to meet the target set in 2010 by our prime ministers of doubling trade by 2015. And investment both ways is growing too," he said.

"British companies such as the BP and Vodafone have made large investments in India. Britain is now the third largest investor in India and India is now the 5th largest investor in Britain," he added.

The envoy is in the state with a 17-member business delegation to further strengthen economic links between Britain and Odisha and to promote business opportunities for Britain-based companies.

Senior British officials are also in the state, including Sam Sharpe, the country head of department for international development and Kumar Iyer, director general of UK Trade and Investment.

British High Commissioner to India James David Bevan is also in the state capital and will call on Governor S.C. Jamir and meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik apart from having meetings with senior state government officials.