The foreign companies operating in Spain are now much more optimistic than they were in 2012. A survey carried out by the IESE Business School ensures that nine out of ten of these companies expect to increase or at least maintain their profits both this and next year. In 2012, half of these companies surveyed thought that their income was going to fall compared to the previous year.
The weather of business in SpainAccording to the same survey that has been carried out on more than 230 foreign companies based in the country, it stands at a score of 2,7 out of 5, stopping a downward trend that had been installed in the country in recent years . Some numbers that give the reason to all foreign investors who have been talking about the good economic prospects of Spain, especially affecting its infrastructure, its quality of life, human capital and the size of its market.
Among the infrastructures that these investors praise are, curiously, the network of railways and airports. The quality of the Spanish business schools, leisure and the country's cultural offer. However, both investors and foreign companies believe that Spain still has to improve its level of English and other languages, reduce the cost of living, as well as the availability of qualified labor.
More negative aspects for Spain, as always these foreign companies, are the high cost of electricity and financing difficulties by banks and other organizations. It is precisely this last section that receives the most criticism and a lower score in the survey barometer, although a slight improvement is observed compared to 2012, the year in which the figures were much more negative.
Foreign investors seek that in Spain there is a greater political and economic stability and less bureaucracy. As for the labor market, the main drawbacks have to do with the legislation. 70% of foreign companies consider that recent labor reforms have made the market more flexible, and 60% have given their approval to them and their results.
It must be borne in mind that foreign investment continues to be a fundamental point for Spain. In 2013 it amounted to 15.800 million euros, an increase of 9% compared to 2012. Figures that currently place Spain in 13th place in the world in terms of foreign investment flows, ahead of countries such as Germany , France and Italy.