GLASGOW has been ranked as a top European city for investment by a Financial Times publication.
In the fDi Intelligence European Cities and Regions of the Future rankings, Scotland’s largest city came out as the top large city in the FDI Strategy category.
The rankings were done by a panel of leading figures in the world of foreign direct investment who reviewed submissions of investment promoting agencies from 64 European cities of varying sizes – major, large, mid-sized, small and micro.
Glasgow came out on top ahead of Antwerp, Porto, Bilbao, and Gothenburg, Dusseldorf and Rotterdam.
READ MORE: Scottish Labour welcome banking boss to Parliament ... to discuss cost of living
Winning cities in the other size categories were Barcelona, Newcastle, Cork and Limerick.
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said she was delighted with the recognition.
She posted on Twitter/X: “Really pleased to see this recognition from @fDiIntelligence of the impact of @snpforglasgow economic policies, which have transformed Glasgow’s approach to inward investment and put us in the top rank of European cities to attract high-quality jobs and drive inclusive growth.”
Glasgow also came fifth in the Connectivity category and 10th in the business friendliness rankings.
Judges recognised Glasgow’s approach to innovation by forging partnerships with academia, industry, government and the community, thereby creating three innovation districts and five innovation centres.
A report on the rankings cited the city boasting more than 200 life science companies and supporting the growth of medtech through the ‘Glasgow Biocorridor’.
Last year, German pharmaceutical group Merck expanded its biosafety testing operations in the city by opening a new 1200 sq m facility to house molecular biology and sequencing services.”
READ MORE: Scottish ministers launch blueprint to tackle depopulation
The report added: “Top businesses choose Scotland’s largest and most cosmopolitan city for many reasons including the exceptional business environment, qualified workforce, easy access, and focus on innovation.
“With ambitions to become one of the most sustainable cities in Europe and a growing reputation as a smart city, Glasgow is where businesses, sport and international culture flourish.”
The magazine fDi Intelligence is a bi-monthly news and foreign direct investment publication providing an up-to-date review of global investment activity.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel