15/02/2017
Catalonia, a Gateway for China in Europe
Catalonia, a Gateway for China in Europe
“Catalonia solidifies its position as a gateway for China in Europe”. With this heading, economic journalist at La Vanguardia Catalan newspaper Luis Federico Florio wrote recently a paper (in Spanish) about the importance of the Chinese investments made in the region and highlighted its strengths: industrial know how, technology push and infrastructures.
Based on 2015 consolidated data, Chinese companies invested 160 million euros in Catalonia (60 million in existing companies and 100 million in the establishment of new firms), roughly half of the global amount of investments made in Spain. According to ACCIÓ managing director Joan Romero mentioned by Luis Federico Florio (ACCIÓ is the public agency in charge of attracting foreign investments in Catalonia), Chinese entrepreneurs see Catalonia as a gateway to enter in Europe and Latin America.
In this context, a key element is the port of Barcelona in which Hutchinson Port Holdings Chinese company operates the BEST terminal. The company has already invested 300 million euros to enlarge it and will invest up to 580 million during the 50-year concession started in 2008.
80 Chinese companies are currently operating in Catalonia and there is every indication that this number will increase in the coming years.
Based on 2015 consolidated data, Chinese companies invested 160 million euros in Catalonia (60 million in existing companies and 100 million in the establishment of new firms), roughly half of the global amount of investments made in Spain. According to ACCIÓ managing director Joan Romero mentioned by Luis Federico Florio (ACCIÓ is the public agency in charge of attracting foreign investments in Catalonia), Chinese entrepreneurs see Catalonia as a gateway to enter in Europe and Latin America.
In this context, a key element is the port of Barcelona in which Hutchinson Port Holdings Chinese company operates the BEST terminal. The company has already invested 300 million euros to enlarge it and will invest up to 580 million during the 50-year concession started in 2008.
80 Chinese companies are currently operating in Catalonia and there is every indication that this number will increase in the coming years.
home