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Why Barcelona-Catalonia works for you
Barcelona-Catalonia is open to business and open to the world. A talented proactive workforce in a dynamic business climate offers international companies numerous competitive advantages.
- Industrial Ecosystem
- Facts and Figures
- Scientific Facilities
- Research and Innovation
- Strategic Location
Industrial Ecosystem
Catalonia’s economy is industrially based and rivals any other location in Spain and in Europe. Industry represents 20.1% of Catalan GDP, above Spain’s average, and manufacturing and industry-related services amount to 50% of the global GDP.
The manufacturing industry is a strong asset for the Catalan economy and an important driver of employment and prosperity. In fact, Catalonia is the 4th European region by number of professionals employed in manufacturing activities (2022).
Facts and Figures
Located in the north-east of Spain and with 7,7 million inhabitants, Barcelona-Catalonia is the most competitive economy in Southern Europe. It concentrates 22.3% of the Spanish industry, and its GDP (€270,710M) is higher than Portugal's and similar, for instance, to Finland’s.
Historically a trading nation, its strategic location in the Mediterranean and its transport infrastructures, as well as its entrepreneurial and business friendly economy, have made it a top location in the south of Europe. Add to that a capital city, Barcelona, that is an unbeatable meeting point for international business.
Scientific Facilities
An extensive network of scientific and tech centers in Barcelona-Catalonia connects our talent at all levels while empowering numerous prestigious applied and basic research groups that make tech transfer an ongoing reality in all sectors.
Catalonia is home to some of Spain's top scientific facilities, such as the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia, the Institute of Photonic Sciences, the Alba Synchrotron, Barcelona’s prestigious Biomedical Research Park, and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center.
Research and Innovation
Thanks to its dynamic research culture, Catalonia is today consolidating its role as an industrial, R&D, and tech investment magnet. Barcelona, Catalonia's capital, not only is, in fact, the third favorite city worldwide for R&D investment (Global Cities Investment Monitor, 2022)), but tech investment itself has grown 72.2% over the last five years (2019-2023) with a record figure of 408 projects.
Today, Catalonia is home to the highest number of innovative companies in Spain (20.7%). It also leads the way in European patent applications, while over 50% of Catalan exports show high to medium-high technological levels. According to fDi markets, it leads within Spain in R&D investment, with 45% of total investment in 2023.
Strategic Location
Barcelona- Catalonia is a coastal Mediterranean location in Southern Europe, bordering France and located in the north-east of Spain. The logistics network can access 400 million consumers in less than 48 hours by different means of transport: plane, train, vessel or truck.
With excellent transportation systems, it is the ideal place from where to reach markets in Europe, the Americas, North Africa, and Asia. Thanks to its close ties with Latin America, due to cultural, language and historical links, it is the natural gateway from Europe to markets in that region. Its capital, Barcelona, is one of the few cities in Southern Europe with full-modal transport integration (sea, airport, motorways & railways) within a 12-kilometre radius, each with global connectivity.
Discover Barcelona-Catalonia’s top industries and technologies.
Strongly industrialized, Catalonia is one of Southern Europe’s main economic powerhouses as well as one of the world’s top spots to live & work. A wide and dynamic industrial base with strong connections to ICT, mobile & smart solutions makes it easy to find suppliers for any specific area of business in Catalonia.
Success stories.
Check out the testimonials of international companies that have already invested in Catalonia (Spain).
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Catalonia & the UK: a growing partnership in trade and investment
Business Investments
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Success Story: Messer's investment in Tarragona, Southern Europe's leading Chemical Hub
Business Investments
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Barcelona’s Exponential Day 2024: Disruption & Circularity for Climate Action
International Events
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Tarek Besold, Sony AI: “We came to Barcelona because it is a city of creativity and inspiration”
Business Investments · Tech & Digital Transformation
Latest News.
Read the latest news about Barcelona and Catalonia.
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30 Oct 2024
Catalonia will chair the European Alliance of Semiconductor Regions in 2026
Catalan Economy
This positions Catalonia at the forefront of European pioneering regions in the drive to build a semiconductor ecosystem that gives the entire continent technological sovereignty and production capabilities.
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29 Oct 2024
Nearly 40 Catalan startups will showcase their technology at three major global industry conferences
Catalan Economy
Catalonia Trade & Investment, together with the Barcelona City Council, is jointly promoting the participation of these startups at the Web Summit in Lisbon, SWITCH in Singapore, and Slush in Helsinki.
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29 Oct 2024
Catalonia has 340 deep-tech startups, a 6% increase over last year
Catalan Economy · Tech & Digital Transformation
According to a study by Catalonia Trade & Investment, these emerging companies employ 2,735 people (up 17%) and generate a revenue of €166 million (up 3%).
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28 Oct 2024
Swedish company Essity invests €24 million to open a new production line at its Tarragona factory
Essity's expansion project in Catalonia has received support from ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment through a €200,000 grant from its High Impact Business Investments line.
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23 Oct 2024
Catalonia is home to 9,602 foreign companies, a record high and a 68% increase over the past decade
Catalan Economy
The top three countries with companies in Catalonia are the U.S., France, and Germany, while the number of firms in technology sectors has risen, now representing 20% of the total.
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21 Oct 2024
Emirates Team New Zealand makes history in Barcelona with third consecutive America's Cup victory
International Events
The end of the America's Cup 2024 will leave a legacy of innovation and sustainability in Catalonia.