IP03

66 // iberian.propery / 2017

dossier// ISSUE: TOP IBERIAN cities

More foreign

investment for Barcelona

The second largest city in Spain, Barcelona is currently one of the European

destinations with the greatest potential to attract foreign investment.

Notwithstanding the increasinglygrowing rate of

investment, there are still issues that need to be

improved for the city to keep attractingmore for-

eign capital. Butwhat should the priorities be?This

waswhatwewanted to find out among experts in

thismarket, who share their opinion in this Forum.

«What should be the priority in Barcelona to

attract more foreign investment?»

Barcelona should maximise on the differentiating features

that make it unique and attractive as a residential destination,

giving precedence to promoting themand satisfying the great

demand for the city’s real estate, extending across several areas.

It is also an extremely attractive tourist destination, which

should continue to be promoted in order to help drive interest

among investors in the sector.

On the other hand, the development of world-leading ed-

ucational centres is also an essential piece of this puzzle,

turning the city into the focal point for real estate demand

among the student sector. At the moment, Barcelona already

occupies the 8th position in the ranking of the most attrac-

tive European cities for university studies and continues to

progress in that direction, increasing the investment needs

for rental and options such as student housing.

Furthermore, Barcelona offers fantastic conditions and great

quality of life as a business destination. Both freelance profes-

sionals and major corporations can find the ideal space to set

up theirworkplaces andcorporateheadquarters in the city. Fur-

thermore, the fact that Barcelona hasmade a firmcommitment

to be recognised as a technological hub has been generating

increasing interest among companies to establish here.

Therefore, the strong demand and all indicators combined

make Barcelona a good place to invest. Making initiatives that

drive these factors a priority, in line with the necessary polit-

ical stability, will be key to attract more foreign investment.

Juan Carlos Álvarez

Servihabitat

General Manager

of Real Estate

«Barcelona offers

fantastic conditions

and great quality

of life as a business

destination»