Porto is at the top of the list of European cities and regions of the future, according to the ranking of the fDi Intelligence magazine, part of the Financial Times. Portugal's second city appears ahead of cities such as Birmingham or Manchester (England), Glasgow (Scotland), Antwerp (Belgium), Katowice (Poland), Izmir or Adana (Turkey), Gothenburg (Sweden) and Bilbao (Spain).
"Today we make history," said Ricardo Valente, councillor for Economy, Employment and Entrepreneurship, quoted in a statement from the municipality. "More than the result, what is relevant is the process, which is the guarantee of its future sustainability," he added.
In 2022, the municipality was able to attract to the city about 433 million euros in direct investment, more than double the previous year, boosting 1380 direct jobs. But the councillor also recalls the impact that attracting companies has on the rehabilitation of the city and on "increasing its visibility and international competitiveness".
In the Financial Times ranking, the investment promotion strategies of 90 cities and regions were compared, considering criteria such as the profile and number of foreign investments attracted in the last 12 months, the fastest growing sectors of activity and the results of local policies on attracting talent, energy resilience and sustainability.
"Porto is a city that moulds itself, tolerant to change and capable of fulfilling the wishes of those who wish to live, work or study here", underlines Ricardo Valente, adding how the recognition is demonstrative of "a city that ambitions, fulfils and is not afraid to compete".