Glasgow and Edinburgh hailed as ‘cities of the future’ for investors

Published on Monday 13 February 2012 14:30

Glasgow and Edinburgh have been named Europe’s top large “cities of the future” by a foreign investment magazine.

They topped the list of “large European cities” - cities with a population between 500,000 and one million - outstripping Amsterdam, Oslo and Helsinki.

The list for fDi Magazine ranked European cities on their potential to capture future investment and expansion projects.

Birmingham was the only other large UK city in the top 10, in seventh place.

London, classed as a “major city” due to its population size, was named the top European city overall, ahead of Paris and Vienna.

Reading (5th), Cambridge (7th) and Dublin (8th) also made the overall top ten, with Edinburgh coming just outside in 11th place and Glasgow at 14th. Dundee came 25th despite being classed as a “micro city” by population.

Edinburgh had the best foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy of all large European cities, ahead of Leipzig, Glasgow and Krakow.

Edinburgh Council leader Jenny Dawe said: “This result is great news for the city.

“Edinburgh has moved straight to the top of the same league table as major cities such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Oslo.

“This is a fantastic achievement and is testament to our success in securing more than 30 new investment projects in the last 12 months, including Amazon and Toshiba.

“Despite the global recession, Edinburgh has secured more new investment over the last three years than in the previous five.

“We’re also very proud of the FDI Strategy award as it recognises the council’s innovative approach to supporting investors in the city.”

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flyinngscott

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 11:43 AM

#2. I admire your positive outlook, but day after day of skewed and downright biased reportage gets to you. Might have something to do with having reached grumpy oldster age. Bitter cynicism is a side effect.================================Still, its good to see our cities coming at the other end of their usual league table positions.============================================The cure might be to stop visiting the website, but from what a staffer told me, the hootsmans days are severely limited, so might be forced.

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I'd rather be on holiday

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 11:39 AM

I see no reason to be pleased at the prospect of Edinburgh becoming a large city. The whole point about Edinburgh is that it's a city on a small scale, a "compact and bijou" city if you like. Size isn't everything.

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aIasdair

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 09:51 AM

"cities with a population between 500,000 and one million"?? Edinburgh's is estimated at about £490,000.

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Always look on the bright side of Leith

Monday, February 13, 2012 at 09:10 PM

#1 Probably mate. Just take the positive from the article and try not to be so cynical when positive things are printed!

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flyinngscott

Monday, February 13, 2012 at 05:33 PM

"Edinburgh had the best foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy of all large European cities, ahead of Leipzig, Glasgow and Krakow"============================================= A good news story. Would it have been more prominently featured if we rated bottom?

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