subject: Terence Wright Review On Spain Investments [print this page] Due to being one of the World's leading economic powers, Spains appeal for foreign investors lies not only in its domestic market which boasts considerable purchasing power, but also in the possibility of operating in third-country markets which use Spain as a base, due to the countries privileged geostrategic position. Due to Spain's strong economic, historic and cultural ties it is the gateway to North Africa and Latin America.
In recent years, Spain's rapid growth in imports and exports has made the country one of the most internationally-oriented countries in the world, with figures for Spanish foreign investment reaching $16,000 million in last year.
Spain's main trading partners are the 27 EU Member States, accounting for 67.8% of total exports and 54.8% of imports, followed by Asia and Africa which have displaced Latin and North America from their traditional role as Spains main trade partners outside the EU.
With regard to investment, it is worth highlighting the increase in inward investment received since 1996. In recent years, Spain has been one of the main recipients of foreign direct investment. According to a recent World International Report, Spain ranked seventh worldwide in foreign direct investment.
Spain is ranked 1st in the EU in terms of the number of high-capacity toll roads and highways and 1st in terms of the number of kilometers of high-speed railway tracks. In addition, it boasts 49 airports and 46 international ports which, when combined with the countrys geostrategic position, make Spain one of the leading hubs for passenger and goods transportation.
Of even greater importance is the Transportation Infrastructure Strategic Plan, with total investments of 248 billion projected for the 2005-2020 period.
An investment opportunity in Spain that the researchers at Terence Wright Spain have discovered is Los Pandos which is an area covering 5000 hectares in the locality of Almansa in the province of Albacete.
The site of the project which is set to become one of the foremost logistical and business hubs in Southern Europe, is just one hour's drive from the airports of Alicante, Murcia and Valencia. The ground-breaking development has High Speed Train (AVE) and freight connections inside the project as well as immediate motorway access to international airports.
Over the next decade, the Los Pandos project is estimated to create substantial employment within the framework of the development which makes Los Pandos not just socially justifiable but also a vital part of the economic and social development of the entire area. The project is at the forefront of urban planning and will become a blueprint for sustainable, responsible development in the future.
