• Real estate investment in Catalonia in 2015 hit roughly 2 billion euros
• Catalonia is the number one region in southern Europe for investment, according to the Financial Times
• The Barcelona Catalonia booth will give visitors a global overview of the main urbanism projects

The reactivation of the real estate and logistics sectors in Barcelona and Catalonia is indisputable, and the Barcelona Catalonia initiative will once again be at Mipim to present its projects in these areas to international investors. Mipim starts tomorrow and runs through Friday 18 March at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. It is one of the most important events in the sector in Europe and this year expects to welcome 2,450 exhibitors from 89 countries, 4,800 investors and 21,400 visitors.

Real estate investment operations in Barcelona and Catalonia in 2015 beat all-time investment records, reaching roughly 2 billion euros, according to a study compiled by real estate consultancy Aguirre Newman. This same study also notes that the trend should continue throughout 2016. Investment levels were up 43% from the previous year. On the other hand, the study highlights that 85% of the investment in Barcelona came in the form of foreign capital.

Catalonia, number one region in southern Europe for investment

The Financial Times sees Catalonia as the best region of the future in southern Europe 2016-17 according to its latest report on the most attractive places in Europe for future investment. And Barcelona is ranked first on the continent in foreign direct investment (FDI) policies and strategies.

In this setting, the Government of Catalonia, through INCASÒL, and the Barcelona City Council are committed to developing strategic projects in Catalonia, especially in the Barcelona metropolitan area and regarding the most important logistics environment along the Mediterranean Corridor, with intermodal logistics platforms strategically located to drive this sector. Other noteworthy projects in the Barcelona Catalonia initiative include 22@, Eix Besòs, Sagrera, Marina del Prat Vermell, Pla Delta and Parc de l’Alba, the last one with 1.5 million m2 of floor space available for various economic activities, in one of the most advanced science, technology and business platforms in Europe.

Furthermore, Barcelona Catalonia is committed to a more just, efficient and sustainable urban-planning model. A model that values rehabilitation as a tool to tackle social inequality and improve quality of life, and as a strategy to begin the energy transition that will help make us less dependent on fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gasses and decrease the amount of polluting gasses put into the atmosphere.

Barcelona Catalonia, like every year, will participate in various forums and events, including the presentation of the Campus-Diagonal Besòs project by head of the b-TEC Foundation, Jordi Bosch, at the Mipim Innovation Forum; and a conference entitled Efficient logistics for a competitive Europe, by managing director of Cimalsa, Isidre Gavín. The institutional presence at Mipim will be complemented by that of several private partners collaborating on urban projects in Catalonia.

16 March 2016

For more information:
Anna Palasí (a_palasi@gencat.cat)
Isabel Ponti (iponti@bcn.cat)