The Community of Madrid, the Basque Country and the Valencian Community led the ranking of British investment in Spain during the first nine months of 2022, according to figures from the 'VIII Barometer on the climate and outlook for British investment in Spain', developed jointly by the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain and Analistas Financieros Internacionales (Afi).
In this sense, the Community of Madrid received more than €3.3 billion of British foreign direct investment (FDI) flows up to September 2022, followed by the Basque Country and Catalonia, with €692 and €184 million, respectively.
During the same period, Catalonia achieved €177 million, while the Balearic Islands recorded €54.1 million.
By sector, British investment was mainly in the sports sector in the Community of Madrid and the manufacturing of other non-metallic mineral products, as well as in creative, artistic and entertainment activities in the Community of Valencia.
Investment in Catalonia and the Basque Country was mainly in the graphic arts sector, while the Balearic Islands stand out for investment in the tourism sector.
Moreover, British investment was marked by its regional diversification and there are five more autonomous communities – besides the Valencian Community and Castile and León – where the proportion of British investment is over 15% of the total flows received: the Balearic Islands (25.5%), the Region of Murcia (20.9%), Andalusia (17.7%), the Basque Country (17.5%) and La Rioja (15.4%).
According to the barometer, the British investment flow in Spain has increased since 2015, despite the referendum to leave the European Union (EU), the health crisis and the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine.
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