Published by Mark Smith-HalvorsenThose conducting business foreign exchange may be among those looking ahead to the next six months more positively.According to the CBI/KPMG London Business Survey, 51 per cent of companies are "optimistic" about what the rest of the year has in store for them, with expansion plans on the agenda for 65 per cent of the 188 participants.Of these, 36 per cent plan to extend their work outside the UK, while 43 per cent plan to focus on achieving growth within the capital city.However, organisations may still find it is important to make the most of their finances as London chairman of the KPMG Richard Reid said: "Two-thirds of London firms say that red tape has increased in the last year, particularly in the area of taxation."Foreign corporations hoping to form a base in the city may find this particularly problematic, he added.This follows the CBI's recent Industrial Trends Survey, which indicated that orders are "above normal" for 27 per cent of participants.For more information on foreign exchange treasury services and risk management, visit our Corporate FX site