In the DIT report Inward Investment Results 2015/16 , the Coast to Capital LEP area has contributed to the 253 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects in the South East, making it the most successful region for attracting FDI, outside of London.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the Coast to Capital which covers Croydon, East Surrey, Gatwick Diamond, Brighton & Hove, Lewes and West Sussex has grown due to a variety of factors, including transport links, commercial opportunities and specific target marketing abroad through UKTI and other partners.
Mike La Rooy, Coast to Capital Board Member and Chair of its International Advisory Committee, explains: "Our region is an attractive place for foreign investors for various reasons, firstly its proximity to London definitely gives us a competitive edge, but also our international connectivity due to Gatwick Airport is a key driver towards businesses making the decision to come here.
"There are also good commercial opportunities in our region. We have a number of growing and established sectors such as Creative, Digital and IT (CDIT), health and life sciences and business and professional services which are popular amongst foreign investors. And there are emerging clusters around these sectors and business sites in Horsham and Croydon.