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Investment secures 2,443 jobs for South West region

July 2010

Investment by overseas companies created or safeguarded 2,443 jobs in the South West region over the last year, UK Trade & Investment announced today.

The inward investment figures were announced at the UK Trade & Investment Business Summit attended by over 100 of the UK’s leading investors.

In the south west, there were 79 projects which created 1,062 jobs and safeguarded 1,381 jobs – a total of 2,443 jobs.

Ellen Stallins, head of inward investment at the South West RDA, which works with UK Trade & Investment to attract companies to the region, said:

“We bring organisations together to ensure that opportunities for inward investment are not missed and make companies aware of the market opportunities in the region. We have had particular success in the aerospace, business services, renewable energy and engineering sectors having attracted companies from all over the world including mainland Europe, USA, Australia, Japan, China and India.

“There is a strong case for the role of the public sector in promoting these opportunities as we are able to take a strategic overview and make sure regional networks which support business growth are working effectively.”

Chief Executive of UK Trade & Investment Sir Andrew Cahn said:

“Today’s results are a real vote of confidence in the South West, but we must work harder to continue to attract inward investment in what is a very competitive global marketplace.

“Overall, inward investment fell by 10 per cent across Europe, but the UK remains the number one destination in Europe for FDI.

“UK Trade & Investment is committed to attracting high quality investment into the South West, which is so important for the UK’s economic recovery.”

Media contact

For more information please contact: Sue Amiel at Spirit Public Relations 0117 944 1415 / samiel@spiritpublicrelations.co.uk

Notes to editor

The South West RDA works for and promotes a modern, stronger and more resilient economy across South West England. Our work involves creating better jobs, successful businesses, more prosperous cities, towns and villages within an economy that uses less carbon and will still be thriving in 20, 50 and 100 years time.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK’s economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For more information on UKTI, visit http://www.ukti.gov.uk/ or telephone +44 (0)20 7215 8000. For latest press releases, visit the online newsroom at www.ukti.gov.uk/uktihome/media.html.

You can also keep in touch with developments at UKTI through www.blog.ukti.gov.uk, www.twitter.com/ukti and www.flickr.com/photos/tags/ukti.

The UK Inward Investment 2009/10 Report refers to jobs figures provided by companies. These figures are based on company estimates.