The five main groups of imported products (machinery and mechanical appliances; motor vehicles; pearls, stones and precious metals, coins; machinery and electrical appliances; and fuels) accounted for 50% of the total imported in 2016.
Finally, we highlight the evolution of some product groups in terms of consumer goods, although they have a lower weight in the structure of British imports, are relevant in terms of the Portuguese supply: knitwear (2% of the total in 2016) (1.1%, + 4%), furniture and lighting (1.8%, + 9%), beverages (1.2%, + 6%), paper and + 1%), footwear and its components (1.1%, + 3%).
FOREIGN INVESTMENT
The UK stands out, both as an investor and as a recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI). According to the UNCTAD (World Investment Report) in 2016, foreign investment flows reached close to USD 254 billion, becoming the 2nd largest recipient of FDI, after being the 15th FDI recipient in 2015 with 33 thousand million.
TOURISM
The ranking "Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index 2017" published by World Economic Forum points the UK as the world's 5th most competitive economy in the tourism industry in a total of 136 countries.
In terms of tourist arrivals, the UK rose to 6th place in the world ranking in 2016 (4th at European level) with 35.8 million. According to the Tourism Institute of Portugal (ITP), the United Kingdom is the 4th largest market for tourists in the world (2nd European, after Germany), generating 83.8 million tourists in 2016, representing a share of 6, 8% of total world tourism demand.
ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH PORTUGAL
The United Kingdom was the fourth customer of Portuguese goods in 2016, representing 7.1% of exports, and the 6th supplier, with a 3.1% share of imports. In the period January-September 2017, sales of goods to the United Kingdom increased by 3.9% year-on-year and imports contracted by 0.5%, resulting in a more favorable balance of trade than same period of 2016 (+ 8.9%).
In the first nine months of 2017 were exported: vehicles and transport equipment (+ 5.6% yoy), common metals (+ 24.4%), chemicals (+ 7.9%), plastics and rubber (+ 6.6%), food products (+ 12.6%) and minerals and ores (+ 15.4%). On the other hand, there was a fall in exports of machinery and equipment (-2.6%), clothing (-0.2%), textiles (-5.2%) and footwear (-2,6%).
In terms of imports from the United Kingdom, we highlight the following product groups: vehicles and other transport equipment; chemical products; machinery and apparatus; metals and agricultural products, which accounted for 73.7% in the first nine months of 2017.
LEGAL CONDITIONS OF ACCESS TO THE MARKET
Pending the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Council and the United Kingdom, it will remain a member of the European Union (EU), an integral part of