For Maltese businesses looking to expand in overseas markets, the United Kingdom offers some excellent investment opportunities.

With GDP growth set to hit 3.1% in 2014, the UK is the fastest growing economy in the G7. That growth is due, in part, to the work being done to make the country more attractive for inward investment.

Tax regime changes in 2015 will see the corporation tax rate reduce to 20% by 2015, the joint lowest level in the G20, as well as bringing in dividend exemptions for overseas earnings. It is developments such as this that reinforce why many foreign businesses are choosing the UK as the location for their regional headquarters and often as their first point of expansion globally.

There are also strengths and opportunities across a variety of sectors including services; retail, where overseas companies with an excellent product are targeting the large UK consumer base; some reshoring of manufacturing; R&D, especially in life sciences; and property investment.

Moving into a new market is not always straightforward but for Maltese companies that bank with HSBC in Malta, we provide a dedicated international subsidiary banking team across all the countries that HSBC operates in.

In the UK, for example, we have 25 international subsidiary bankers that can help existing HSBC customers establish a presence here.

Our global, interconnected approach means we can consistently supply the same services that customers experience in their own market. Sophisticated IT systems and a culture of communication means our teams throughout the world share the information they need to provide the best possible service.

From a credit perspective, we can transfer the knowledge we have of a parent company in Malta to our UK team so we can then take an immediate credit view on a UK subsidiary, without having to repeat the due diligence that has already been done.

We can also offer an advanced suite of products from cash pooling to liquidity management when you first establish your business in the UK.

If you do not currently bank with HSBC in Malta but have international aspirations then please speak to your local contact and find out how HSBC can help you in your target markets.