Financial Times recognizes Catalonia's foreign investment strategy

The Financial Times has recognized Catalonia's strategy for attracting foreign investment with an fDi Strategy Award, which the publication has granted for the past three years.

Awarded by the Financial Times' 'fDi Magazine', the Investment Promotion Agency of the Year - Highly commended prize went to the Catalonia Trade & Investment (CT&I) public agency, known as Acció in Catalan.

CT&I was chosen for the distinction from among 112 international agencies. Created in 1985, the public agency promotes foreign investment and business competitiveness through a network of 40 offices around the world.

The fDi Strategy Award recognizes different initiatives carried out by Catalonia Trade & Investment, such as its China Desk in Shanghai, Second footprint promoting investment by multinational firms, and its strategy for attracting projects related to industry 4.0.

The Department of Business and Knowledge says that there are currently 8,642 foreign companies in Catalonia, some 22% more than in 2016. The firms come from Germany (13%), France (12%), the US (12%), Italy (9%), the Netherlands (8%) and the UK (8%).