Ready for Business

2015

Summary

Southern European City in the overall and FDI strategy categories in the FDi European Cities and Regions of the Future Ranking (2014)

4th

www.fdiintelligence.com

BILBAO

9th Mid-sized European City in the overall category of the FDi European Cities and Regions of the Future Ranking (2014)

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Bilbao in a nutshell

Population

Metropolitan Bilbao:

1.000.000

Municipality of Bilbao:

347.278

2014

Foreign population 7,7% 2014

GDP per capita 37.000 2012

Employment generated by

the city 165.315

March

2015

Business licenses for

economic activities 38.075

IV Trimester

2014

Creative companies 2.798 IV Trimester

2014

Visitors 742.445 2014

Cultural events supported

by the city 1.699 2014

Conventions, congresses

and meetings 1.064 2014

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10 Reasons

to invest in Bilbao

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1. Strategic location in the “Atlantic axis”

Bilbao´s centrality in the so called “Atlantic axis” of the

European Union and its European orientation make of Bilbao

a reference focus for the establishment of solid relations with

Europe.

2. Excellent internal and external connectivity

Bilbao is a global and interconnected city that grants

excellent external accessibility grace to one of the most

important airports from the north of Spain and a modern

Port. The diverse public transport means have been

perfectly structured in order that they can complement

each other, offering an efficient alternative to the

individual use of cars.

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3. Centre of the economic activity of one of

the most competitive European regions:

Basque Country

Bilbao is home to around half the population and economic

activity of the Basque Country. The Basque economy,

grace to its industrial and business tissue, has been able to

position itself as one of the most competitive, innovative

and productive regions of Europe. The Basque GDP per

capita is 30% higher than the European Union average.

4. Attractive business environment

Bilbao has a wide range of infrastructures which are able

to offer to companies an environment that facilitates the

generation of business. The conjunction in its territorial

environment close to high-tech companies and the high-

qualified labour force allow the development of advanced

services and knowledge economy.

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5. High quality of life

Bilbao is a modern and balanced city, efficient, welcoming

and attractive to live, to work and to visit. In it, people can

reconcile their professional and private life, thanks to its

attractive cultural and leisure offer.

6. Legal safety, own tax system and good

public governance

Bilbao´s entrepreneurial tradition and its experience along to its

willingness to innovate and improve constantly, make of Bilbao

a reliable city, in which the efficiency and legal safety of its

institutions are an identity mark. The provincial Government of

Biscay has an own tax system with regulatory capacity for taxes

as well as autonomy for its exaction and collection. Besides, the

good governance carried out by the city obtains a high

valuation, both from the citizens and for international

organizations.

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7. Talent

Bilbao is a city with a high-skilled population, in which

more than 24% of the population has a university degree.

Besides, it has established collaboration agreements with

universities with the aim of facilitating the development of

new education infrastructures, which allow creating

innovation and knowledge poles especially in the fields of:

engineering, telecommunications, and health.

8. Specialized in innovative and high-added

value sectors of activity

Bilbao has created the necessary conditions to favour

knowledge, innovation and creativity. Therefore, besides

strengthening the existing companies, it also attract new

ones, especially those related to the emerging and

dynamic sectors such as: Art & Creativity; Advanced

services; Tourism & Business Conventions; Internet Digital

Tech; Eco-technology & Urban solutions; and Health &

Applied Technologies.

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9. City-brand that gives value

Bilbao is a city open to the world. Its unique and

differentiated city-brand, reinforced by the international

impact of Guggenheim Museum, is well positioned

internationally and ensures a great reputation for

international companies.

10. A city that looks to the future

Bilbao is a city that along its history has been able

to turn problems into opportunities. Over the last 30

years Bilbao has been able to reinvent itself,

becoming a reference model for cities all around the

world. But the city does not remains still. It

continues developing projects to remain competitive

in the global scene.

Invest in Bilbao Bilbao Foreign Investment Support Office.

Single point of contact to support foreign investors

that are exploring opportunities in Bilbao.

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Support offered to foreign investors

• General, sector and company specific

information.

• Coordination of fact-finding visits to Bilbao.

• Coordination of meetings with government and

regulatory authorities.

• Coordination of visits to existing investors and

companies already established in the city.

• Coordination of meetings with professional

service firms.

• Coordination of meetings with educational and

training institutions.

EXPLORATORY

PHASE

START-UP

PHASE OPERATIONAL

PHASE

• Advice and support during the start-up

process.

• Assessment on potential needs.

• Support in the identification of the location

for the establishment.

• Support with the necessary procedures to

obtain permits and regulations.

• Contacts with potential suppliers, clients and

partners.

• Support in reinvestment-related activities.

• Networking with other companies.

Incentive policies There are a wide range of incentives offered by the

local and regional institutions to invest in Bilbao.

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Ground / Location The City Government facilitates companies the identification of possible

spaces for the implementation of their activities according to their needs

and help them to during the negotiation process.

There is also a Map of available spaces and infrastructures in the city

that facilitate companies the identification of possible spaces for activity.

Bilbao Metropolitan Area also offers a wide range of spaces both for

industrial and technological use:

Industrial: Industrial parks

Technological: Technology and Science Parks and Incubators

www.sprilur.es

www.parke.eus/bizkaia

Business creation Aids

Incentives for the creation of innovative businesses offered by the

Provincial Council of Bizkaia which include:

• Constitution of the new company.

• Marketing Plan.

• Establishment expenses.

Specific aids for job creation.

www.beaz.bizkaia.net

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Talent. Human Resources

• Biscay Talent and Ikerbasque: incentives for hiring and training for

companies and universities located in Biscay.

• Financing of training according to the specific needs of the companies (up

to 100%)

• Bilbao BBK Talent : residential complex addressed to high qualified

researchers coming to Bilbao and Bizkaia as non-permanent

researchers.

www.bizkaiatalent.org

www.ikerbasque.net

www.bilbaobbktalent.es

www.bebasquetalentnetwork.org

Tax Benefits

Tax deductions:

• Investment in fixed assets: 10% of investment.

• Fostering use of IT: 10% of investment.

• Reserve for investments: 10% % facilities.

• R&D activities: 30% – 50% of R&D expenditure.

• Industrial design: 10% - 15% of investment

• Cultural heritage: 15% - 20% of investment

• Investment in clean technologies: 30% of investment

• Job creation: 3.000€ per person / year

www.bizkaia.net

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Financing

Financial access to the necessary capital for the creation and growth of

innovative companies. There are two kinds of funds:

• “Seed fund” for the participation in the Capital of new companies.

• “Development fund” to support the growth of the existing companies with

attractive financial conditions.

www.seedcapitalbizkaia.com

www.spri.es

R&D&i incentives

Financial incentives for companies (non-refundable grants)

• GAITEK: R&D projects that improve entrepreneurial competitiveness. The

amount covers a maximum of 25% of the eligible cost, with a maximum

amount of 250.000 euros per entity and year.

• ETORGAI: R&D projects of company partnerships that have a positive

effect on the Basque economy. The amount covers a maximum of 40% of

the eligible costs.

• NETs: R&D projects of New Technology Based Companies (NTBC) that

develop new products or services. The amount covers between 40% and

50% of the cost for company partnerships and between 25% and 40% of

the cost for single companies.

www.spri.es

For further information contact:

INVEST IN BILBAO

Navarra 5, 1st Floor

48001, Bilbao, Spain

Tel.: (+34) 94 420 53 90 / 94 420 53 19

E-mail: international@bilbaointernational.bilbao.net

Website: www.investinbilbao.com