This new, fully updated sixth edition of Investors’ Guide to the United Kingdom provides an authoritative and essential guide to the current investment climate in the United Kingdom. The Guide includes the principal sectors of opportunity for foreign investors, the grants and incentives available, the financial sector and the laws and business regulations that affect foreign investors, as well as guidance on taxation and financial accountancy .In its World Investment Report 2013, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reported that global foreign direct investment (FDI) shrank by 18% in 2012. Against the trend, while FDI inflows to the USA declined by 26% and to the EU by 42%, the UK secured an annual increase of 22%, attracting US$62 billion. Independently, Ernst & Young and the Financial Times confirm that the UK remained the number one FDI location in Europe in 2012.Aimed at foreign businesses of all sizes, from multinationals to SMEs and private investors in the UK, this unique guide offers in-depth briefings on the technical aspects of investment as well as business start-up, covering topics such as:Grants and incentivesCompetition lawCompany formationFinancial reportingBusiness taxationBanking and FinanceCommercial lawIntellectual propertyImmigrationPensions and benefitsMergers & acquisitionsJoint venturesThe AIM market of the London Stock ExchangeInvestors’ Guide to the United Kingdom is published in association withUK Trade & Investment and includes a Foreword from Michael Boyd, Managing Director Investment, UKTI.

This new, fully updated fifth edition of Investors' Guide to the United Kingdom provides an authoritative and essential guide to the current investment climate in the United Kingdom. This includes the principal sectors of opportunity for foreign investors, the grants and incentives available, the financial sector and the laws and business regulations that affect foreign investors.In its World Investment Report 2012, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) confirmed the UK as the largest recipient of foreign direct investment stock in Europe. The Ernst & Young European Attractiveness Survey 2010 found that the UK is the most attractive location for investment in Europe. This reflects its enterprise culture, business-friendly employment laws, world-class support services and relatively benign fiscal policies.Aimed at foreign businesses of all sizes, from multinationals to SMEs and private investors in the UK, this unique guide offers in-depth briefings on the technical aspects of investment as well as business start-up, covering topics such as:Grants and incentives Company formation Financial reporting Business taxation Banking and Finance Local Enterprise Partnerships Commercial law Intellectual property Immigration Pensions and benefits Mergers & acquisitions Joint ventures Private equity and venture capital, AIM market of the London Stock Exchange

In its World Investment Report 2013, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reconfirmed the UK as the largest recipient of foreign direct investment stock in Europe. The Ernst & Young European Attractiveness Survey 2014 found that the UK is the most attractive location for investors in Europe and ranks fifth globally after China, the US, India and Brazil in foreign investors’ expectations over the next three years. This reflects its enterprise culture, business-friendly employment laws, world-class support services and relatively benign fiscal policies. .

The global listed property sector has been characterized by a variety of noteworthy developments in recent times, the proliferation of real estate investment trust-type structures in countries around the world key among them. Despite an uncertain economic environment, REITs have proven their ability to promote institutional real estate investments in global financial markets. This highly practical book features a comprehensive analysis of both the legal and tax underpinnings of REIT-friendly legislation in a variety of the world’s most significant jurisdictions. With regard to the legal framework, the structure and functioning of a REIT is carefully investigated and explained. In terms of tax issues, the book focuses on such key issues as: REIT formation, operation and liquidation; mergers, acquisitions and dispositions; as well as planning for public and private REIT offerings and re-securitizations. REITs are inherently complex and their interplay with tax treaties further compounds the complexity. This highly accessible yet authoritative work is the perfect decision-making tool for any professional looking for perspective and guidance on the challenges and opportunities REITs engender.

The most thorough treatment of its subject available, this book introduces and analyses the international tax issues relating to international manufacturing and distribution activities, extending from the tax regime in the country where the manufacturing activities are located, through to regional purchase and sales companies, to the taxation of local country sales companies. The analysis includes the domestic tax laws relating to manufacturing and distribution company profits as well as international tax issues relating to income flows and the payment of dividends. Among the topics and issues analysed in depth are the following: – foreign tax credits; – taxation in the digital economy; – tax incentives; – intellectual property; – group treasury companies; – mergers and acquisitions; – leasing; – derivatives; – controlled foreign corporation provisions; – VAT and customs tariffs; – free trade agreements and customs unions; – transfer pricing; – role of tax treaties; – hedging; – related accounting issues; – deferred tax assets and liabilities; – tax risk management; – supply chain management; – depreciation allowances; and – carry-forward tax losses. The book includes descriptions of 21 country tax systems and ten detailed case studies applying the analysis to specific examples. Detailed up-to-date attention is paid to the OECD Action Plan on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) and other measures against tax avoidance. As a full-scale commentary and analysis of international taxation issues for multinational manufacturing groups – including in-depth consideration of corporate structures, tax treaties, transfer pricing, and current developments – this book is without peer. It will prove of inestimable value to all accountants, lawyers, economists, financial managers, and government officials working in international trade environments.

The 42nd annual edition of the leading guide to taxation in Britain. This practical and user-friendly guide is a bestseller with students, professionals, accountants and private individuals, explaining in simple terms how the UK tax system works and how best to minimise tax liabilities.

The 43rd annual edition of the leading guide to taxation in Britain. This practical and user-friendly guide is a bestseller with students, professionals, accountants and private individuals, explaining in simple terms how the UK tax system works and how best to minimise tax liabilities.

The Public Investment Management (PIM) Reference Guide aims to convey country experiences and good international practices as a basis for decisions on how to address a country-specific PIM reform agenda. The country references are drawn largely from previous diagnostics and technical assistance reports of the World Bank. The application of country diagnostics and assessments has revealed a need to address the following issues when undertaking a country reform in PIM: • Clarification of the definition and scope of public investment and public investment management • Establishment of a sound legal, regulatory, and institutional setting for PIM, making sure it is linked to the budget process • Allocation of roles and responsibilities for key players in PIM across government • Strengthening of guidance on project preappraisal, appraisal, and selection-prioritization procedures and deepening of project appraisal methodologies • Integration of strategic planning, project appraisal-selection, and capital budgeting • Management of multiyear capital budget allocations and commitments • Efforts to address effective implementation, procurement, and monitoring of projects • Strengthening of asset management and ex post evaluation • Integration of PIM and public-private partnership (PPP) in a unified framework • Rationalization and prioritization of the existing PIM project portfolio • Development of a PIM database and information technology in the form of a PIM information system. The PIM Reference Guide does not seek to provide definitive answers or standard guidance for the common PIM issues facing countries. Nor does it seek to provide a detailed template for replication across countries: this would be impossible given the diversity of country situations. Instead, each chapter begins with an overview of the specific reform issue, lists approaches and experiences from different countries, and summarizes the references and good practices to be considered in designing country-specific reform actions.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offers a masterplan to create a better world for the people and the planet. It’s scale and ambition, however, requires new development partnerships supported by adequate financial and technical resources. As a response, development practitioners started to explore alternative and complementary innovative instruments to finance the SDGs -one of which is the prospects for increased cooperation and coordination between Islamic finance and impact investing. To date, however, the academic and development literature has lacked a systematic exploration of this promising collaboration between Islamic finance and impact investing. This present study attempts to fill this gap by developing the first knowledge product to increase awareness on this collaboration. I for Impact attempts to raise awareness on the compatibility between Islamic finance and impact investing. It reviews recent developments and key factors for growth, pinpoints similarities between the two sectors, and makes policy recommendations for development actors to create the conditions for the two sectors to benefit from each other.

For decades, workers’ capital stewards have invested wisely to provide a secure retirement for millions of people around the world. This money – our money – represents an enormous share of economic and capital market wealth. It has seeded and grown innumerable innovative industries that have had far-reaching impacts. However, the 2008 financial crisis has seriously threatened these trusted assets and drained away prosperity.In response, a growing number of investors are moving towards responsible investment policies and strategies, addressing the rising expectations of consumers and benefiting from the financial advantages such strategies bring. Everyday citizens now want to see their investments not only do well, but do good. But, what constitutes responsible investment, and how can it be undertaken in practice? What is the impact of responsible investment strategies on investment performance? How can trustees, managers and advisors implement these strategies in line with their fiduciary responsibilities? How can plan trustees and staff members convince all stakeholders of the need to invest in resilient growth?The Responsible Investor Handbook, commissioned by the AFL-CIO and global progressive investors, is a lay-friendly “how-to” manual, sharing the best in responsible investment practice with capital stewards and other policy leaders who want to do the right thing with our common wealth.This invaluable toolkit enables readers to: Understand the pioneering role of workers’ capital in building infrastructure and vital services Devise a responsible investment strategy Select and monitor service providers Bring on board stakeholders with conflicting interests Avoid short-termism The Responsible Investor Handbook is the first book devoted to aligning the long-term investment priorities of working people with capital stewards and the financial complex that manages their assets. It is an essential read for trustees and capital stewards seeking the positive outcomes of a responsible investment strategy; pension and institutional investors looking to realign their strategies with the interests of workers and citizens; and any professional seeking a better understanding of the importance of responsible investment and its impact on capital markets.