focus on kent
Kent is home to a diverse range of businesses, from ‘Garden of England’ food and drink producers to cutting-edge technology start-ups. We see which sectors are growing and how the county’s exporters are coping with Brexit challenges.
The UK Deputy Ambassador and members of the UK Department for International Trade celebrating Kentish Produce with the owners of Monoprix supermarket in Qatar
Growth in the post-Brexit age 66
“Perfick!” may conjure up the bucolic Kent of The Darling Buds of May, as espoused by its main character, Pop Larkin. But you could also say the county on Brexit’s ‘front line’ is perfick for those businesses that have successfully ridden out the UK’s painful EU divorce and are now focusing on future growth.
Ironically, Bates’ tale of the Larkins is set in a nostalgic 1950s before Britain joined the EU. “Plus ça change”, as our continental neighbour 21 miles from Kent’s white cliffs might remark.
Notwithstanding the Brexit challenges that all regions face, Kent is a strong magnet for many industry sectors. As well as being a highly attractive corner of England to visit, the county is a vital transport hub, boasting Eurotunnel, five seaports and access to international airports.
Opportunities for growth
Derek Murphy, Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, identifies “distinctive opportunities” for growth in areas that include construction, linked with the scale of development across the South East; life sciences, notably at Discovery Park in Sandwich; manufacturing, with concentrations in Swale and the Medway Gap; food production, as well as transport and logistics.
“The Covid-19 pandemic hit some parts of the economy more than others: our hospitality and creative sectors were especially impacted by the public health restrictions,” he said. “But we have seen a return to growth this year, and the current forecasts of 6.5% GDP growth in the UK this year will have a positive impact on Kent.”
Murphy pointed to population and housing growth as important contributors to Kent’s growth. “It is vitally important that we secure the infrastructure we need to make it sustainable and to deliver benefits for Kent – and we need to strike the right balance between planned growth and the sustainability of public services and the natural environment,” he commented.
We need to strike the right balance between planned growth and the sustainability of public services and the natural
environment. Derek Murphy Kent County Council
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