Brno’s fast economic growth and high GDP-per-capita helped to push it ahead of other cities in the region. The judges also gave top marks for its economic potential and recent FDI deals involving UK-headquartered engineering firm IMI International, US technology group Honeywell and US advanced engineering company Danaher Motion, which between them created 900 jobs. Brno also scored well for its international promotion strategy and incentives.

Budapest, in Hungary, scored top for inward investment flows, for its three biggest FDI attractions and transport infrastructure. The city’s highly educated workforce was also competitive on cost. Ostrava in the Czech Republic won on commercial rental costs.