30/08/2016 - Scotland's
share of inward investment projects has fallen, according to the latest figures
from the new UK Department for International Trade.
There were 108
inward investment projects counted in the 2015-16 financial year.
In the previous two
years, there were 122 and 119.
The number of jobs
created was well below a proportionate share of the British jobs, at 4,200.
The British numbers
had another strong showing in both projects and jobs supported.
Foreign investment
in the UK reached more than 2,200 projects, up 11%.
This Whitehall
report says nearly 83,000 jobs were created that way, down slightly, but the
second highest since the data began.
The projects counted
in these figures included new factories and branch offices, expansion of
existing plants, and firms being taken over.
The sectors most
affected were in finance, professional services, and manufacturing.
Although London
dominates, with 889 projects attracted last year, Scotland is rated as being
attractive to foreign investors.
Scottish Enterprise
In a separate annual
survey by the business consultancy EY, it has recently come second, after
London.
It has been helped
by the experience built up in Scottish Enterprise and the government agency
Scottish Development International. By contrast, in recent years, English
regions' efforts have had to adapt to the dismantling of regional development
agencies.
They may now be
catching up. Northern England saw 228 new projects in 2015-16, a rise of 24%,
linked to 10,700 jobs. Wales secured 97 projects, with 5,400 jobs attached.
Commenting on the
most recent figures, International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox said they show
"the UK continues to be the place to do business".
He added:
"We've broadened our reach with emerging markets across the world to
cement our position as the number one destination in Europe for investment.
"This continued
vote of confidence in the UK will help attract foreign investment to create
jobs, security and opportunities for people across the UK."
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