by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is the largest worldwide movement of entrepreneurs and scores of events are being run across the country, including Kent. They aim to support budding entrepreneurs in developing skills and sharing best practice.

It follows the Prime Minister's call for "doers and grafters" to deliver an enterprise-led recovery that he hopes will create jobs in the private sector to compensate for some 500.000 losses in the public sector.

More than seven million people are expected to take part in 32,000 events in at least 100 countries.

Research suggests that 18-30 year olds who have taken part in GEW are more likely to say that they intend to start a business within the next three years and that they have the necessary skills to start a business.

It also shows that people who have heard of GEW are significantly more likely to report that they perceive good opportunities for start-up in their local area.

Tom Bewick, chief executive of Enterprise UK, founders of GEW, said: "Arguably, it has never been more important to encourage people to start new businesses and create new opportunities, to see the much heralded enterprise-led recovery.

"Together, we need to encourage and nurture the UK's present and future entrepreneurs. In today's economically competitive world, our country has never needed them more."

He added: "We want to mobilise entrepreneurs across the UK, in every town and city. This is a critical time to help people develop their enterprise skills, confidence and help them realise their ambitions."

Kent Foundation is among several county-based organisations taking part in GEW. It will be celebrating its services for young entrepreneurs in Pizza Express, Maidstone, on Friday.

Kent Foundation director Paul Barron said: "It has been a fabulous year for the Kent Foundation. We are particularly celebrating our new mentor service, launched in April and already demonstrating great achievement."