Ranking by Financial Times group puts country ahead of 450 regions and cities analysed.
The FDI Strategy award, published in the FDI magazine by the Financial Times group, is considered to be one of the most prestigious rankings worldwide.
450 south European regions and cities are analysed in order to determine the top five places for foreign investment. Catalonia came in on top, followed by Madrid, Lombardy, Istanbul, and Lisbon.
Madrid, ranks the second.
“This recognition shows that Catalonia has the assets, potential, and determination to consolidate itself as one of the most attractive regions in Europe in terms of attracting foreign investments,” said Joan Aregio, Secretary of Enterprise and Competitiveness. “It is the second consecutive time that Catalonia receives this recognition, a very clear indicator of the confidence we generate abroad,” he stated.
“Catalonia has a privileged geostrategic position, a solid industrial base, an economy that is open to the world and highly innovative,” Aregio said. The country is has also consolidated itself as a start-up hub, where budding new businesses can thrive in a healthy economic environment.
Incentives for attracting foreign direct investment
The ranking also put the country at the forefront of regions considered to be “large,” that is with more than 4 million inhabitants, for having the best strategy to attract foreign investment.
Catalonia Trade & Investment Ministry makes efforts to attract investors, foreign companies of those main countries, immigrants, projects. These strategies have shown impressive results.