These interactions range from direct to indirect and include customers, prospects, and even competitors.

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Companies will choose Britain if they see prospects for growth, which include a decently skilled workforce, serviceable infrastructure and, not least, a clear and competitive tax regime.

ECONOMIST: Taxing companies

The employment prospects of graduates are "much better than feared", although this might include a stretch of catering and bar work, says a survey.

BBC: Graduate jobs market 'better than feared'

Exxon has been consistently investing in upstream facilities over 2012, and key examples include the Kearl Initial Development Project for natural gas and offshore oil prospects such as the Phobos in the Gulf of Mexico.

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