THE county continues to attract new jobs despite a slowdown in American firms coming to Britain, according to inward investment agency Locate in Kent.

While InvestUK, the Government agency responsible for promoting inward investment, showed the number of new overseas businesses arriving in the UK falling by 12 per cent, Locate in Kent, based in Kings Hill, West Malling, says it is bucking the trend.

The greatest fall has been among US companies following September 11 and the downturn in the US technology markets with 32 per cent fewer US companies choosing to set up in the UK than in 2000/2001. The US has been a prime target for Kent and Medway's promotional activity, with an agent employed in New York to alert county officials to possible interest from American firms.

LiK says it has secured eight projects and the prospect of 673 new jobs over the next three years, adding that it is confident of meeting its annual targets of 30 projects and 1900 jobs. Paul Wookey, LiK chief executive, said: "The InvestUK figures show what a major impact the downturn in the US market has had on UK inward investment.

"However Locate in Kent has continued to be successful in attracting business to Kent from other markets, particularly the UK which makes us confident of meeting our annual targets. The UK is still Europe's top inward investment location and further improvement in the levels of US investment overseas will boost our confidence further. Kent is well placed to continue to attract its share of international business."