by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Turner Contemporary, the art gallery opening in Margate on Saturday, is likely to create more than 200 indirect jobs and play a key role in reviving the area's economy.

That was the message last night from Pam Alexander, the outgoing chief executive of the doomed South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), which has offices in Chatham Maritime.

SEEDA injected £4 million into the £17.5 million project to signal its determination with others to kick-start one of the UK's most deprived areas.

The Turner, being opened by Margate's famous artist daughter Tracey Emin and musician Jools Holland, is expected to attract 5,000 people to the 9.45am ceremony on Saturday.

A Turner painting - on loan from Liverpool - is the centrepiece of the inaugural exhibition, alongside specially commissioned works by local and other artists.

At a preview attended by around 600 Kent VIPs, Ms Alexander, who steps down in July ahead of SEEDA's formal closure next March, said the project was an exemplary example of partnership with Kent County Council, the Arts Council and others.

It should connect with other arts projects across East Kent such as the new Marlowe Theatre and Beaney Institute renovation in Canterbury, and the Folkestone Triennial.

"Cultural regeneration works," she said. "It works for local people if we make sure the 200-plus jobs we think will follow from this gallery by attracting more tourism, visitors, excitement, shows, and creative industries.

"It's about creating a real catalyst for regeneration but not losing the local contact."

Our seaside towns were "a jewel in the crown" that had not been properly burnished.

Turner would help the area shine and attract better hotels and create new opportunities.

John Kampfner, chairman of the Turner Contemporary Trust, added that the gallery had put Margate, Thanet and East Kent firmly at the top of the UK and European cultural map.

"We intend to keep it there," he said.