fDi Magazine, the magazine of the international business newspaper Financial Times, has once again awarded Antwerp ‘Best Small City for FDI Strategy’ (Foreign Direct Investment Strategy). The award is the cherry on the cake for Antwerp Headquarters, the agency sparing no effort to promote the city on the Scheldt with investors. 'Foreign investors really appreciate Antwerp', said Robert Voorhamme, chairman of the board of Antwerp Headquarters.
The award for ‘Best Small City for FDI Strategy’ fits in with European Cities & Regions of the Future, the biannual fDi Magazine report. An independent international jury recognises cities and regions for their economic potential, human resources, quality of life, cost efficiency and business-friendly climate. A total of 253 European cities and 110 regions were compared. 73 European cities and 60 regions submitted a file on their investment strategy.
Best strategy
For the second successive time, Antwerp can boast of being the city with the best strategy for attracting foreign investment (in the 'cities up to 500,000 inhabitants' category), leaving behind Lyon, Liverpool and other rivals. When large and smaller cities in Western Europe are considered together, Antwerp takes second place after Berlin, beating Munich, Hamburg, Vienna and other competitors.
The award is a crowning achievement for Antwerp Headquarters, the public-private partnership of the City of Antwerp and the Antwerp-Waasland Chamber of Commerce & Industry which engages daily in attracting investors. The partnership, which recently celebrated its third anniversary, has achieved splendid results. It has been actively involved in attracting and establishing 20 companies, creating 390 jobs.
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