UK

Brief Fact File

Capital	London
Currency	British Pound (GBP)
Language(s)	English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)
Local time	GMT 00:00 (GMT + 01:00 in summer)
Telephone code	44
Major cities	Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast

Economy
The United Kingdom is the leading trading power and financial center in Western Europe. For the past two decades, the government has reduced the public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture sector is very intensive, highly mechanized, and very efficient. It produces about 60% of the food needs with less than 2% of labour force. It has a large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves. UK is the member of European Union. Its top three import partners are Germany, the US and France. US, Germany and France is the top three export partners.

Major Exports:

• Manufactured Goods
  
• Fuels
  
• Chemicals
  
• Food
  
• Beverages
  
• Tobacco

Major Imports:

• Manufactured Goods
  
• Machinery
  
• Fuels
  
• Foodstuffs

Business Practices

Business Dress

• For both men and women, conservative dress is the norm where darker colors and heavier fabrics predominate.
  
• Few of the British firms have introduced the concept of 'dress-down' Friday with the code of 'smart casual.' IT department dress down all week.
  
• Never put pens, pencils, etc. in the shirt or the jacket breast pockets.
  
• Avoid striped ties.

Communication Guidelines

• They maintain a reasonable level of formality in their business relations, at least at the initial stages. They are unlikely to address by first name until they are invited to do so.
  
• Punctuality is important. If one is being late for an appointment, telephone and let them know what time you expect to arrive.
  
• The exchange of business cards is often done towards the end of meetings, however be prepared to exchange business cards near the outset of the meeting.
  
• Most of them expect to shake hands with business associates.

Business Hour
Shops are generally open from 9.00am to 5.30/6.00pm from Monday to Saturday, some close early on either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Important Contacts

Associations / Ministries
Department of Trade and Industry
Government of the United Kingdom
Response Centre
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
E-mail: dti.enquiries@imsv.dti.gov.uk
Website: http://www.dti.gov.uk

Indian Embassy / Counsulate

Embassy of India
High Commission of India
India House
Aldwych
London
WC2B 4NA
Tel.: +(44)-(207)-8368484
         +(44)-(207)-3796242 (night line)

Consulate General of India, Birmingham
20 Augusta Street
Jewellery Quarter, Hockley
Birmingham, B18 6JL
Tel.: +(44)-(121)-2122782
Fax: +(44)-(121)-2122786
Telex: 333 483 CGIBIR
E-mail: cgi@congend.fsnet.co.uk
Website: http://www.cgibirmingham.org
Working Hours:
9.00 am to 1.00 pm & 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm (Monday to Friday)

Consulate General of India, Edinburgh
17 Rutland Square
Edinburgh, EH1 2BB
Tel.: +(44)-(131)-2292144
Fax: +(44)-(131)-2292155
E-mail: indianconsulate@btconnect.com
Website: http://www.cgiedinburgh.org
Working Hours:
9.15 am to 5.45 pm (Monday to Friday)

Honarary Consulate of India, Belfast
Andras House Ltd.
60 Great Victoria Street
Belfast BT2 7BB
Northern Ireland
Tel.: +(44)-(2890)-878787
Fax: +(44)-(2890)-878797
E-mail: dsrana@andrashouse.co.uk
Note:- To avail special arrangement of cheaper dialing to Northern Ireland, prefix with the number +(353)-(48)
Working Hours:
9.15 am to 5.45 pm (Monday to Friday)

Visiting this Country

Business Visa Rules for UK
The following documents are required :

• Valid/signed passport (valid 6 months; with at least one blank visa page).
  
• One visa application form completed and signed.
  
• Two passport size photographs.
  
• Employment letter.
  
• Bank statement.
  
• Proof of departure - computer generated flight itinerary on travel agent letterhead (for tourist visa applicants only).
  
• Business cover letter addressed to the British Embassy. Letter should state exact nature of business which will be conducted, length of intended stay, and also include business contact information in the UK.

Public Holidays

Festival	Date	Detail
New Year's Day	January 1
	January 2	Scotland Only
St Patrick's Day	March 17	Northern Ireland only
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
May Day		First Monday in May
Spring Bank Holiday	Monday following final Sunday in May
Tynwald Day	July 5	Isle of Man
Battle of the Boyne	July 12	Also known as "The Twelfth". Northern Ireland only
August Bank Holiday	Last Monday in August	England and Wales
August Bank Holiday	First Monday in August	Scotland
Christmas Day	December 25
Boxing Day	December 26

Travel Tips

• Tipping is common in UK. Maid expect $2.50 per day, Room Service $1 to $20 from bringing ice and glasses to meals, Bellhop $2 and Doorman $1 per bag.
  
• Know the duty charges while shopping. Sometimes the duty rate is very small but after buying the article you need to pay duty on your return. Take receipt of purchase if the article is valuable imported goods.
  
• Carry extra batteries and film while travelling because it might not be always available or it can cost more.
  
• Tape your name and address inside the luggage. Put the phone number of a friend inside it too.
  
• Make two photocopy of the passport, credit cards and other valuables. Leave one at home and pack other in your luggage, separate from the original.