According to data from greenfield investment monitor fDi Markets, there were 91 FDI projects in Spain in the first five months of 2012, accounting for 1.4% of all projects globally. This represents a marked improvement from the same period in 2011, when projects in the country accounted for just 0.09% of all projects globally.

fDi Markets shows that 26 projects were recorded in Spain in May 2012, making it the most successful month for FDI so far in the year, with $533.8m of capital expenditure and 719 jobs created through FDI. During the first five months of 2011, FDI project numbers peaked in March, when 30 projects were recorded. In this month, 1307 jobs were created and $1.34bn was invested.

Advertisement

The business services sector has attracted the largest number of investments in Spain so far in 2012, accounting for 16.5% of all projects. Between January to May 2011, software and IT services was the top sector, accounting for 12.7% of all projects.

Barcelona has been the top destination city in Spain so far in 2012, accounting for more than one-quarter of all projects. Total capital expenditure into Barcelona stands at $1.22bn, with 551 jobs created as a result of FDI. In the first five months of 2011, Madrid was the top destination city, accounting for more than one-quarter of projects tracked. Total investment into Madrid in this period stood at $529.5m, with 109 jobs created.

Between January and May 2011, the US was the top source country accounting for almost one-quarter of all projects in Spain. In 2012, this proportion increased to one-third. However, the largest projects have originated from the UK, with an average project size of $125.2m for investments from this country compared with an average project size of $100.3m for projects from the US.

Some prominent investors into Spain so far in 2012 include global financial institution ING Group, France-based Schneider Electric and maritime services provider Inchcape Shipping Services.  

Find out more about