Castilla-La Mancha attracts €157 million in foreign direct investment in the first half of 2024

During the first half of 2024, Castilla la Mancha has recorded a significant increase in flows Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), reaching 157 million euros, which represents an increase of 77% compared to the same period of the previous year. This figure places the region in eighth place nationwide in investment attraction.

The breakdown by origin of investments reveals that the United Kingdom leads with 92,6 million euros, followed by the Netherlands with 38,8 millions and Portugal with 17 million. In addition, smaller investments have been recorded Austria, which contributed 3,6 million.

As for the benefited sectors, machinery repair and installation account for 58,8% of the flows, totalling 93 million euros. This is followed by the food industry with 39 million (24,6%), agriculture and livestock with 18 million (11,2%), and energy supply with 8 million (5,0%).

Castilla-La Mancha reaffirms itself as an attractive destination for foreign investment, contributing to economic development and job creation in the region

For the first time, the provincial distribution of investment has been detailed, highlighting Albacete as the main recipient, concentrating 69,6% of the flows (109,6 million), while Toledo received 25% (39,4 million) and Ciudad Real 5,4% (8,4 million).

Employment derived from foreign investment has also shown a notable evolution, with an increase of 102% since the lows of 2013, reaching 53.244 jobs in foreign-owned companies at the end of 2022. The stock of foreign investment rose to €2.050 billion in 2023, 54,5% more than the previous year.

Greenfield projects have been essential for regional economic growth. In 2023, 41 new projects were announced with an investment of 2.800 billion dollars, generating 5.204 jobs. In the first half of 2024, 15 projects have already been identified with an estimated investment of 654 million dollars, which will create 1.500 jobs.