FOREIGN investment in Oxfordshire has led to a steep rise in new jobs over the past year.
New figures released by the Department for International Trade showed 1,300 new jobs were created in the county over the past 12 months thanks to investment from international firms.
The Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership said the figures represented a 122 per cent increase on 2016/17.
It said the county's growing retail sector was responsible for triggering the increase in foreign investment, with the opening of the £440m Westgate Centre and 30 new shops at Bicester Village having a major impact.
Nigel Tipple, the Chief Executive of OxLEP , said the positive figures underline Oxfordshire’s continued global economic strength.
He said: “Such foreign investment demonstrates that Oxfordshire is recognised around the world as a place that can support innovation-led growth, greater productivity and major ‘place potential’ as we move towards an ever-increasing internationally-focussed economy.”
Business leaders concerned about the impact of Brexit should be reassured by the figures, Mr Tipple added.
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