Andalucía scored well on almost all counts and its positive international reputation is reflected in recent investments from defence engineering company EADS, French carmaker Renault and mobile phone transmission company Télédiffusion de France.

The region is easy to reach by high-speed rail (the first in Spain) and six airports, three of which serve international flights. It also has 10 state universities and several research centres in specialist fields such as biochemistry and technologies such as solar energy.

Aragón scored well on rental and wage costs, while Murcia won the judges’ vote for being the Iberian region with the greatest economic potential.