Kolkata: Riding high on a robust economic growth, United Kingdom (UK) today (Dec 12, 2003) made a strong pitch for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) from India.

British High Commissioner in India Michael Arthur made a strong plea at 'Investments in Britain' seminar, organised by the British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, that UK was receiving the maximum amount of United States and Japanese FDI among all the European nations.

He said that in the last 10 years, two-way trade between India and Britain had increased from two billion Pounds to five billion Pounds.

Among 450 Indian companies were operating in UK, Arthur said that 350 of them were in the Information Technology (IT) sector.

Indian investments in UK also included manufacturing industries, food and drinks, tea, pharmaceuticals and biotech.

Arthur said that UK had the lowest tax and social costs in the entire European Union, while the country had one of the world's most developed e-business environments.

Deputy director of British Deputy High Commission Steve Firstbrook said in the last year, 19 Indian companies started operations in UK.

PTI