Doing Business in Andalucia

Business in Andalucia

An extremely diverse region, Andalucia consists of eight provinces – Almeria, Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaen, Malaga and Seville (also the capital) – which between them are home to over 770 municipalities. Each province offers a wealth of business opportunities in a wide range of business activities, from agriculture to investment in research and development (R&D) and from the hospitality industry to telecommunications. Within this vast region, Andalucia offers a surprisingly large potential for human resources, infrastructure and competitiveness.

Keen to attract businesses, particularly foreign investment to Andalucia, the regional government is proactive when it comes to promoting the region and its many business possibilities. The Andalucian government runs several organisations and agencies whose objective is to promote and support enterprises within this growing region. The Agency for Innovation and Development of Andalucia (aptly named IDEA) and the Andalucian Business Support Centres (Centro de Apoyo al Desarrollo Empresarial – CADE) are two such agencies. Spain’s central government has also recently commenced major investment in research and innovation.

Within the growing region of Andalucia, there are two main focal points for business investment – Seville and the Costa del Sol, centred around Malaga and Marbella. Home to one of Spain’s largest European populations, Malaga and Marbella are both major foreign investment hotspots. Malaga is also home to the Technological Park of Andalucia (PTA www.pta.es), one of the biggest in Europe with numerous businesses specialising in innovation and development and R&D.

Not surprising, Andalucia and in particular, Malaga and Marbella, are currently among Spain’s most dynamic regions when it comes to doing business and investment in research and innovation.