Catalonia breaks record for foreign subsidiaries and approaches 10,000

More and more multinationals are coming. Foreign subsidiaries established in Catalonia have grown to a record figure of more than 9,600, approaching the goal of 10,000. According to data from Acció, this represents a 4% growth compared to last year, when a total of 9,255 were registered. If we look even further back, ten years ago, the increase stands at almost 70%, coming from 5,700 in 2014.

"It is a good indicator of Catalonia's openness to the world. More and more entrepreneurs are choosing Catalonia," remarks the president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa. As of today, multinationals based in Catalonia represent 1.3% of the total number of companies, but generate 30% of the business volume, 18% of employment, and 47% of exports.

Coming from a total of 90 countries, the United States has the largest presence, with more than 1,450 companies established in the autonomous community, followed closely by France and Germany, with about 1,370 and 1,150, respectively. Despite US leadership, Europe is the main source of foreign subsidiaries, accounting for three out of four (72%), with more than 6,600. According to Acció, companies coming from regions such as South America and Africa are growing the most, while Asian ones are decreasing.

By sectors, infrastructure and construction are the most predominant by volume, with almost 1,200 companies (12%), followed by ICT and electronics, with more than 1,100 (11.5%). But it is automotive, with Seat at the forefront as it is integrated into the German Volkswagen group, food, chemical industry, and pharmaceutical that generate the most revenue, taking 42% of the income. Companies such as the Chinese automaker Chery, with the reactivation of the Zona Franca, the London-based pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, with the creation of a large hub in the Estel building, and the Japanese technology company Sony, with the location of an AI center, are some of those that have made the biggest bets on the territory in the last year.

Barcelona continues to be the main destination for multinationals, concentrating almost 58%, with a total of 5,535 companies. Baix Llobregat and Vallès follow closely, hosting in their cities companies that no longer find space in the Catalan capital or seek more industrial locations, led by Sant Cugat del Vallès, El Prat de Llobregat, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Cornellà de Llobregat, and Terrassa.

More than 500 projects in the pipeline

The list of foreign companies that have established themselves in Catalonia does not end here, and the Government is working with a portfolio of more than half a thousand projects with potential to invest in the territory, with about 200 being very likely to materialize. "We are certain that high value-added projects will continue to arrive," defends the Minister of Business and Labor, Miquel Sàmper. Of these detected opportunities, more than half are linked to green and digital transformations.