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British Columbia and the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom (U.K.) is home to many global firms, including the headquarters of 15 Fortune Global 500 companies, and maintains a growing and active business environment. The U.K. has a highly educated and multicultural population, supporting its many economic ties around the globe.

Trade & Investment Highlights

The Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-U.K. TCA) promotes a stable economic relationship and trade activities between Canada and the United Kingdom.
The 2017 Canada-UK MOU on Science, Technology, and Innovation set the framework that guides bilateral science and technology cooperation. A Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee reviews the MOU in consideration of evolving priorities.
Geographically, both B.C. and the U.K. have complementing locations and time-zones for companies with a global outlook operating in either of the two regions.

U.K. at a Glance

Monetary figures are in USD

Opportunity for Foreign Investors and B.C. Exporters

Aerospace

The U.K. is one of the world’s largest aerospace sectors and focuses on high value and high technology engineering, manufacturing and services. There are specific opportunities for B.C. companies to support this sector in engines, parts of aircraft and spacecraft and advanced systems such as fuel, mechanical, avionics, and electric power.

Agrifood & Agritech

The United Kingdom is a net importer of agriculture and agri-food products. Key U.K. trends include plant-based foods, vegetarian/vegan alternatives and convenience foods. Additionally, e-commerce and online grocery shopping continues to rise in the United Kingdom. The U.K. is a priority market for wine and alcoholic beverages and are particularly receptive to Canadian and B.C. wines compared with other European markets. Opportunity for B.C. exporters exists in high-quality food products including functional foods, organic products, convenience foods, alternative proteins, and plant-based foods.

Cleantech

There are various areas of opportunity for B.C. clean tech companies to showcase their capabilities in the United Kingdom. Currently, the key opportunities lie in carbon capture utilization and storage, energy efficiency, energy storage, hydrogen and smart energy systems.

Digital & Interactive Media

The U.K. is recognized as a global leader in the creative industries. There is a strong gaming, VR/AR and animation cluster in London, U.K. with established connections to B.C. companies. There are opportunities for B.C. trade, innovation and investment attraction in gaming, animation/VFX, and VR/AR.

ICT

The U.K. tech industry is a key growth sector, growing at a faster rate than the U.K. economy and maintaining its lead as one of the world’s premier locations for tech of all kinds. With 30 technology clusters across the U.K., there are significant opportunities for B.C. in: AI, internet of things (IoT), fintech, enterprise software, e-commerce, cloud, cybersecurity and 5G. ICT opportunities continue to be available in vertical markets including Education, HR, VR/AR, Edge Computing and Retail (E-commerce) where there has been strong B.C. and Canadian capability and traction.

Marine

Opportunities exist in ocean technology, specifically technologies and services that support industries around the ocean including aquaculture, marine robotics/AUVs, and offshore oil and gas. There are collaboration opportunities between B.C. and the U.K. in shipbuilding and the low carbon propulsion field where B.C. companies lead in fuel cell, battery hybrid and modular plug-in solutions.

Life Sciences

The U.K. maintains a significant market for medical devices, Health IT and related technologies. Due to local talent shortages, firms consider expansion outside of the U.K. for talent, technology and market share. Canada is one of their main targets as a potential destination for expansion. Partnership opportunities exist in subsectors such as biopharmaceuticals, vaccine manufacturing, precision medicine and diagnostic technologies, digital health technologies, and medical devices.

United Kingdom Top Industries (2017-2021)

Industries for Outward Investment

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Communications

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Coal, Oil & Gas

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Real Estate

_{Source: FDI Markets}

Import Industries
(by value)

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Machinery

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Pearls, Precious Stones & Metals

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Vehicles & Parts

_{Source: International Trade Centre}

Fastest Growing Import Opportunities

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Miscellaneous Chemical Products

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Mineral Fuels & Oils

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Wood Products

_{Source: International Trade Centre}

BC Export Industries to Market

Investment Opportunities in Canada - Electrical Machinery Equipment

_{Source: BC Stats, data sourced from Statistics Canada}

Trade & Investment Resources

For B.C. Businesses

For International Businesses

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How We Help

Assist in commercial location identification and site selection.
Provide information on transportation infrastructure and logistics gateways.
Offer introductions to sector associations, industries and provide cluster insight.
Facilitate understanding and solutions for talent, skilled workforce and labour mobility
Facilitate engagement with professional advisors on legal, compliance and tax matters
Help navigating and offering referrals within government agencies on First Nations, business and regulatory processes.

Identify high potential investment opportunities and offer industry insight.
Introductions to sector associations and local industry contacts.
Introductions to companies seeking investments to expand.
Provide knowledge on local innovation hubs and connections to entrepreneurial opportunities.
Introductions to local venture capital networks.

Assist in navigating government export programs and financial supports.
Advice and coaching in international expansion and exporter development.
Support Team BC missions and trade events.
Match buyers and sellers in local and foreign markets.
Provide insight on trade agreements and barriers.
Introductions to trade representatives in foreign markets.
Market entry assistance in international markets.

Trade & Investment Offices

United Kingdom
- London

London

British Columbia’s Trade and Investment Representative office in London is the centre for our programs throughout Europe.

Europe’s multi-faceted economy continues to present many opportunities for trade and partnership in key sectors. These include resources, biomass and green technologies, information and communication technologies, life sciences, and education.

Rely on our London office to help you network and capitalize on shared business opportunities.

London Office:
10 York Road
London, SE1 7ND
United Kingdom

Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries

Rupert Potter
Managing Director

Melissa Arsenault
Operations Manager

Graham Hilton
Trade and Investment Specialist

Rhoda Campbell
Trade and Investment Specialist

Laetitia Macdougall
Trade and Investment Specialist

Trade & Investment Representative - Ximena Portugal

Ximena Portugal
Administrative Officer

Connect With Our International Network

Our Trade and Investment Representatives can help you establish the right connections, participate in events and tradeshows, explore programs and initiatives, and more. Connect with an expert near you.

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