The Sussex economy is set to strengthen in 2001 says the man with his finger of the pulse of local business.

Ken Caldwell, chief executive of Sussex Enterprise, believes the year will see further progress for the local economy, which considerably out-performed the UK average last year.

He cited five key factors which he believed would make the difference to the business community in the year ahead.

He said: "As the largest organisation that supports and represents businesses in Sussex, we get feedback from companies of all sizes across every industry in the county."

Top of the business wish-list is for Government approval for the Hastings bypasses, which would boost the regeneration of the area, followed by the Shoreham Harbour development finally getting underway, opening up the biggest brownfield site on the South Coast.

Businesses also want the Euro to return to a sensible level, enabling UK businesses to compete more effectively in Europe, plus a healthy start for the new Sussex Learning and Skills Council which will open up opportunities to tackle the emerging skills gaps in the local labour market.

Mr Caldwell said: "And finally, we all want the rain to stop and the trains to start!"