1Ready for Business

2

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

4th

9th

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

www.fdiintelligence.com

BILBAO

2

3

Population

Metropolitan Bilbao: 1.000.000

Municipality of Bilbao: 350.000

2013

Foreign population 8% 2013

GDP per capita 37.000 2012

Employment generated by the city 162.193 January

2014

Business licenses for economic activities 36.758 IV Cuarter

2013

Creative companies 2.600 III Quarter 2013

Visitors 734.215 2012

Cultural events supported by the city 1.554 2012

Conventions, congresses and meetings

1.105 2012

Bilbao in a nutshell

4

10 Reasonsto invest in Bilbao

4

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.

5

3.Center 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 labor force allow the development of advanced services and knowledge economy.

6

5.High quality of lifeBilbao 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.

7

7.TalentBilbao 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 favor 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: Advance Business services; Eco-technology and Urban Solutions; Art, Technology & Design; and Tourism, Health & Quality of life.

88

9.City-brand that gives valueBilbao 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 futureBilbao 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.

9

Invest in BilbaoBilbao Foreign Investment Support Office.Single point of contact to support foreign investors that are exploring opportunities in Bilbao.

10

-

Support 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.

11

Incentive policiesThere are a wide range of incentives offered by the local and regional institutions to invest in Bilbao.

12

Ground / LocationThe 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.eswww.parque-tecnologico.es

Business creation AidsIncentives 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

13

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.orgwww.ikerbasque.netwww.bilbaobbktalent.es

Tax BenefitsTax 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

14

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.comwww.spri.es

R&D&i incentivesFinancial incentives for companies (non-refundable grants)

• GAITEK: R&D projects that improve entrepreneurial competitiveness. The amount covers between a 40% and a 50% of the cost.

• ETORGAI: R&D projects of company partnerships that have a positive effect on the Basque economy. The amount covers between a 30% and a 45% of the cost.

• 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 15

Para más información contactar con:

INVEST IN BILBAONavarra 5, 1ª planta48001, Bilbao, EspañaTel.: (+34) 94 420 53 19 / 94 420 53 90E-mail: international@bilbaointernational.comWebsite: www.bilbaointernational.com