investment

Report finds that most companies that invested in R&D in 2017 intend to spend even more this year

Business minister says this year’s 62% fall in funds from abroad will be offset over next six months

Business minister refuses to “reward” companies that changed legal headquarters during the political crisis and says “objective data” show health of Catalan economy

148 Catalan companies received total of 61.9 million euros from Commission’s programme for small and medium businesses between 2014 and 2017

Biggest decrease between July and September, 75% less than same period in 2016

Ranking by Financial Times group puts country ahead of 450 regions and cities analysed

Report does not rule out possible impact in future

82% of investments came from Catalan investors, according to a recent study

SMALLE Technologies and Carinsa selected with 64 other small and medium-sized companies from all around Europe

The innovation of the BDF Ingredients company consists of adding an enzyme which reduces the amount of chemical additives to the products

Catalonia Trade and Investment’s Innovation Barometer presented on Wednesday shows innovation in Catalonia is growing

The country attracts nearly half of foreign manufacturing investment in Spain

The independence process “won't be a problem” for investing in Catalonia, said Paul Cartuyvels, Director for European Affairs of the French multinational Bouygues, a company with more than 125,000 employees and delegations in 19 countries. Cartuyvels participated in a meeting on foreign investment with entrepreneurs and companies from Europe, the U.S. and Asia, organized by the Catalan government during the “European Business Summit”. Bouygues is interested in Catalonia’s Global 3D Priniting Hub and considers the country “a natural partner for high level innovation”. The Catalan Minister for Business and Knowledge, Jordi Baiget, who explained Catalonia’s business assets during the meeting, said that the political debate is not negatively affecting foreign investment: in fact, in the last 5 years Catalonia has seen a 36% increase in foreign investment.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) approved on Tuesday a €125 million loan to the Council of Barcelona to build 2,198 affordable houses. The money will help to finance 23 promotions from all over the city and will cover 50% of the projects budget. The rest will be paid through the Council own resources (31%) and other financial sources, including public and private institutions (19%). Gerardo Pisarello, from the Barcelona Council, said that the EIB loan will help the city save up to €45 million in interests, as the financing conditions set by the European Investment Bank are much more favourable than those of other banks. The Council of Barcelona is planning to build 8,800 affordable flats until 2025.

Catalonia may host the logistics hub for Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba for Southern Europe. According to Catalan Minister for Business Knowledge, Jordi Biaget, “no decision has been made yet” but the negotiations are already in the final stages. Although Alibaba is also considering France for the installation of its logistics center, the Catalan Government is working closely with the company so that Catalonia could be the chosen destination. Indeed, last February Baiget met with Alibaba’s board during a commercial mission to China and Hong Kong organized by the Catalan Government. Baiget also explained that the Catalan executive is analyzing more than 300 possible business investments in Catalonia.