Welcome to our handbook for 2005. As I indicated last year, this handbook serves two main purposes. The first is to give you an overview of ICC, the work that we do and the ways in which companies and business organisations can most effectively benefit from membership. The first section of the handbook therefore provides a review of the work we do on the international stage and here in the UK.

In addition, we have expanded our coverage this year to include a selection of our policy statements and position papers. These cover a wide range of topics such as trade policy, international taxation, internet governance and climate change, demonstrating the breadth of the issues on which we speak on behalf of international business.

This year is a particularly important one for our policy work. There is growing recognition of the power of international trade and investment to raise living standards and lift people from poverty around the world. ICC will continue to promote this powerful message and seek to identify and reduce the barriers that hamper international trade. The international trade negotiations in the Doha Development Agenda are at a critical stage and it is particularly important that significant progress is made in 2005. Across the wide range of policy areas on which our members work, which are reviewed in this handbook, we will continue to promote the positive business environment which supports wealth creation and contributes to higher global living standards. If you would like more information on any aspect of our work do let me know.

The second function of this handbook is, through a series of high quality articles, to provide information and stimulate debate on a wide range of issues of importance to the international business community. Particular themes this year include intellectual property, ICT and eCommerce, finance and education. Arbitration issues are again a major area of focus. The ICC International Court of Arbitration is strengthening its leadership in international arbitration and it is good to report that the UK’s contribution to this work further increased in 2004.

I am sure you will agree that once again we are including a set of high quality articles by leading thinkers and practitioners in their respective fields. I hope you find the handbook an informative and interesting read.


 Andrew Hope
Director, ICC United Kingdom