Bristol is the most business-friendly European city of its size for future international investment, according to an assessment by independent experts at FDI magazine.
The city’s strong concentration of high-tech and knowledge-based sectors, its business friendliness and excellent quality of life are highlighted in the prestigious FDI research which also places Bristol ahead of major competitors, including Manchester, Zurich and Liverpool.
It was 16th overall out of all European cities and in the Top 10 for a number of other categories.
Bristol’s rankings in its category (cities up to 500,000 population) were:
· 1st overall as the European city of the future
· 3rd for business friendliness
· 3rd for its foreign investment strategy
· 7th for quality of life
Council leader Barbara Janke said: “This is excellent news. It reinforces why firms such as Danish offshore and marine engineering firm LIC Energy have chosen to open a new UK office in Bristol in recent months.
“We pride ourselves on being a business-friendly city and we are determined to create the right conditions for new investors to locate here and create jobs. This is why the council is working side by side with our partners on the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), creating opportunities for thousands of jobs at Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone and throughout the West of England area.”
LEP chair Colin Skellett added: “We are very clear that Bristol and the West of England area has the skills and sector expertise to attract investment on the international stage.
“These awards are ringing endorsement of these strengths and will help us market ourselves to prospective investors. Sites such as the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone present first-class opportunities for a range of international businesses, particularly in the creative sector, and will help spearhead growth in the whole region."
