2. Executive Summary
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Spain’s overall rating is still positive in 2010 despite the international crisis
The results of the Barometer of the Business Climate in Spain 2010 still reflect, just as in 2009, the international economic crisis, hence they
need to be interpreted in such context. Despite this, Spain’s rating from foreign investors is positive again, albeit with a slight drop on the
previous year (2.9 in 2010 as opposed to 3.1 in 2009).
The best rated areas in the Barometer on the Business Climate in Spain are Infrastructures, Market size, Costs and Quality
of life
Investors have valued very positively aspects relating to infrastructures, quality of life and costs in Spain, as well as the size of the market
and the access provided to other markets. The Barometer has enabled us to identify the areas where investors believe there is room for
improvement, which include taxation and others relating to the labor market, such as increasing flexibility and reducing labor costs, and in
particular dismissal costs. Other aspects relative to the labor force that investors deem of great importance that also need to be improved
include language skills and assumption of responsibilities and objectives. Moreover, Spain’s commitment to investment in R&D&I should
continue to be developed, as well as its efforts to adapt incentives aligned with foreign companies’ needs.
Foreign companies’ forecasts for next year in Spain improve with regard to both employment and investment
In general, foreign investors rate the business climate in Spain positively, as manifested by their future plans for investment and employment
in Spain, which are slightly higher than those for last year.
Over 72% of the foreign companies consulted plan to increase or maintain employment in Spain in 2011, as opposed to 65% last year. As far
as investment is concerned, again over 70% of companies plan to increase or maintain their investments in Spain, which is also above the
figure for 2009.
Therefore, it can be concluded that Spain fulfills investors’ expectations as regards the business climate, although the areas marked for
improvement should be noted by public and private authorities in order to ensure that Spain continues to be a major destination for foreign
investments of high added value.
Barometer of the Business Climate in Spain, 2010 results
Executive Summary
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