Inward investment agency Locate in Kent attracted 2,800 jobs last year as it steps up its overseas campaign.

It narrowly failed to meet its 3,100 jobs target in the past 12 months – but only because two imminent deals were delayed.

The organisation, funded by Kent County Council and private sector partners, notched up 2,864 jobs in the year to March 31, just shy of its 3,100 target. The figure includes jobs created by firms attracted into the county by LiK’s efforts but also jobs safeguarded and retained and those created indirectly.

LiK is stepping up its overseas promotion after KCC granted the agency £180,000 to appoint “lead generators” in North America, France and Germany.

Paul Wookey, LiK chief executive, said the target came close to being exceeded.

“There were two key projects we were hoping to sign off in March but it didn’t happen. If it had, we would have exceeded our 3,100 jobs target.”

However, he was confident that at least one of the two projects – both in East Kent – would be confirmed and he was hopeful of the second.

He said LiK’s achievement was all the more creditable set against a backdrop of tough economic conditions, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, London 2012, the Eurozone crisis and the sudden deaths last year of two key supporters, Kent County Cllr Kevin Lynes and LiK chairman Sir Brandon Gough.

“As an organisation, that was felt pretty hard because both played a major part in what we were doing.”

He added: “At the back end of the summer, we were quite concerned that these factors and prolonged economic uncertainties were having a major impact on our pipeline of activity.”

But the situation had picked up well in the past few months, with the development of Discovery Park, Sandwich, the Grow For It in East Kent campaign and interest-free loans for companies setting up in East Kent (Expansion East Kent).

“I think we will see East Kent figures picking up dramatically,” Mr Wookey said, adding that similar financial support for north Kent and Medway under the TIGER scheme would boost inward investment.

Mr Wookey said many of the new jobs were in high-value sectors such as bioscience and advanced manufacturing.

“It’s good that we’re seeing better quality jobs coming through in higher value sectors. Kent is attracting and supporting the high-value type of business and that’s good."

'Kent is attracting and supporting the high-value type of business and that’s good'