The European Monetary Union and the Euro

The Euro and Business

UK firms with European trading links need to consider, if they have not already done so, how their business may now be affected. Practical information to help firms understand the business implications of the euro from its introduction in the euro area on 1 January 2002 can be found on HM Treasury euro website: www.euro.gov.uk

Also included on the website is a range of information related to the Euro including:

• Guidance on the euro for businesses with trading links with the euro area and also on euro cash for UK travellers.
  
• Information on the euro for business and tourist travellers to the twelve countries of the euro area and their dependent territories. 
  
• Advice to consumers on how to dispose of national legacy currencies and other sources of information. 
  
• Links to other sources of euro information, details of regional euro events, order form for hard copies of the various factsheets and the booklet "Using the euro - competing in Europe", together with case studies on-line, and much more. 
  
•  A Government developed leaflet for UK travellers, including business travellers "Euro notes and coins".
  
• Lessons from the Changeover in the Euro area: A summary of Reports by Private Sector Organisations in the UK 
  
• Guides for manufacturing, retail, services, tourism; and wholesale and distribution sectors 
  
• Note on cross-border payments (added 8 July 2002)

For further details on any of the above go to the website:

www.euro.gov.uk

Other Useful Sources of Information for Business:

• European Commission website on "Euro essentials" .
  
• The European Information Unit - located in Manchester Central Library provides a specialist service to meet European information needs, dealing with enquiries in person, by telephone, letter or e-mail. It is part of the European Public Information Centre (EPIC) network aims to make information about Europe and the European Union easily accessible at a local level.