Date Created: 25 May 2011
Scotland leads Europe in the creation of jobs through foreign direct investment (FDI).
The findings of Ernst & Young's latest UK attractiveness survey show a 35 percent increase in FDI projects in Scotland compared to 2010, with 69 projects creating over 4000 new jobs.
Scotland is now attracting FDI jobs at levels not seen since the start of the global recession and is outperforming both the rest of the UK and the rest of Europe.
Significant Scottish success stories include 700 new jobs in Erskine as part of Hewlett-Packard's Scottish presence and Loch Ryan's new Stena Line ferry port which delivered 400 jobs.
London was the only UK region to attract a higher number of projects than Scotland but the 289 projects in the London area created fewer jobs.
The UK as whole remains ahead of the rest of Europe as a top destination for FDI with Scotland now returning figures that match those delivered in the two years before the recession hit.
James Close of Ernst & Young said:
"The international business community, surveyed as part of the report, continues to cite the UK's technology infrastructure, stable social environment, quality of life, culture and language as what makes it the most attractive investment destination in Europe.
"We have a loyal following of foreign investors prepared to do repeat business here and government has an important role to keep us in pole position."
Ernst & Young's 2011 UK Attractiveness Survey (PDF, 4MB)