IP03

20 // iberian.propery / 2017

dossier// ISSUE: TOP IBERIAN cities

What does Madrid

need to attract more

foreign investment?

To consolidate its position as one of the principal European destinations for

foreign investment, Madrid needs to keep attracting more international investors.

But, for this to happen, what should be the priority?

This is what we asked the participants of this Opinion Forum:

From my point of view, there are two factors that Madrid

should take into account to attract more foreign investment.

The first is urban regeneration.WhenTheresaMay announced

the United Kingdom’s exit from the single European market,

there were many voices that positioned Madrid as London’s

possible successor. However, this position will be difficult

to achieve if there are not adequate spaces. Is it feasible for

companies situated in the City of London to relocate their

headquarters to the outskirts of the city? According to the

Madrid Municipal Council, the capital has 1.9 million square

metres of available offices, compared with 3.9 in Paris. But

it is not just about the metres available but where they are

located, their quality, technological infrastructures and en-

ergy efficiency. Launching plans such as Castellana Distrito

Norte, areas likeValdebebas Fintech District, or regenerating

districts in the city centre will undoubtedly be an incentive

to attract foreign investment. The most important step is for

businesses in different sectors to decide to establish herewith

the consequent job andwealth creation for thewhole society.

In second place, it is crucial that the professional talent of

Madrid citizens be recognised, 47% of which have univer-

sity degrees. Madrid has some of the best universities and

business schools in the world, every year hosting more than

30.000 foreign students.

Our priority should be to decide what city model we want

and definewhere to concentrate our efforts if the objective is

to turn Madrid into a financial leader. I believe that managing

our urbanism with a future vision and open mind, avoiding

obsolete ideas from past times, and managing the talent of

Madrid’s professionals will be the keys to make Madrid the

city that these companies will want to settle in.

Juan Antonio

Gómez-Pintado

ASPRIMA

President