Company in the Spotlight
Contact: Alan Fogg, FCEDA, afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600 (office) or 571-213-5065 (mobile)
British MP and economic expert keynotes Fairfax County event in London
Fairfax County, Virginia USA, Wednesday, November 18, 2009 -
London–A leading British politician and economic guru has paid tribute to the unique international outreach of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), saying it is important to build up transatlantic trade and investment in times of economic crisis.
Vince Cable, MP, deputy leader and economic spokesman of Britain’s Liberal Democratic Party, addressed more than 150 British and American senior businessmen and women in London at the FCEDA’s ninth annual networking event. The FCEDA, supported by BritishAmerican Business, hosted the event at One Whitehall Place.
Dr. Cable, who wrote a best-selling book “The Storm” about the 2008 economic downturn, said he worries that countries look inward during economic crises, but that the FCEDA’s work to help British companies expand into Fairfax County fosters international investment and trade.
“At times like these it is all the more important that we have people who are trying to build up trade and investment across the Atlantic,” he said. “It is a very important role and it may be that you will be needed more over the coming year.”
Dr. Cable compared the way the economic crisis had developed and been handled on both sides of the Atlantic. The crisis began with a “bubble” in the property markets in the United States and the United Kingdom, but he credited central bankers in both countries with actions that averted disaster.
“The system held together,” Dr. Cable said. The U.K. and the U.S. have at heart an entrepreneurial culture, and thousands of small and mid-sized businesses are flourishing and attempting to flourish, he said.
“Serious entrepreneurs will drive our economies out of this mess,” he said.
The FCEDA has had an office in London since 1998 to work with British companies interested in expansion to the U.S. About 70 U.K. companies are among more than 350 foreign-owned firms that have a presence in Fairfax County.
Dr. Vince Cable addresses the crowd at
"Transatlantic Business 2010--a view from Westminster"
on November 17 in London.
FCEDA Vice President of Marketing Catherine Riley
speaks to the attendees about what the FCEDA can do
to assist British companies that wish to expand in the
United States.
Time magazine called Fairfax County, “one of the great economic success stories of our time.” Business growth helps Fairfax County fund the nation’s top-rated school system and other public services that contribute to the quality of life of residents. Fairfax County offers businesses a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, access to global markets through Washington Dulles International Airport and a well-educated workforce.
The award-winning Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as one of the world’s best business centers. The FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains marketing offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore, London, Los Angeles, Munich, Seoul and Tel Aviv.
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