THE regional development agency for the West Midlands has exceeded its 2002/3 targets for new businesses by more than 40 per cent.

Advantage West Midlands (AWM) has helped create or attract 170 businesses to the region in 2002/3.

The number of learning opportunities created by AWM also exceeded the target, by 10 per cent, with 17,647 learning opportunities created against a target of 16,109.

The agency fell short of its job creation target by two per cent and its reclamation of brownfield land target by 11 per cent.

John Edwards, AWM chief executive, said, despite these shortfalls, the agency's performance had been "strong".

"Despite being the fourth largest regional development agency, we have achieved the second highest jobs figure - beating both London and the South East," he said.

"We missed our target on reclaiming brownfield land because of contract delays and problems with remediation.

"Despite that, we still achieved the second highest figure among all regional development agencies in the country.

"The agency is not complacent, however. There is still much work to be done but we are delivering on our promise to create more, better jobs and a better quality of life for the area."

The Advantage West Midlands performance figures show:

13,416 jobs created or safeguarded against a target of 13,626 (98 per cent).

170 businesses created or attracted against a target of 119 (144 per cent).

567 acres of brownfield land reclaimed against a target of 640 acres (89 per cent).

17,647 learning opportunities created against a target of 16,109. (110 per cent)