Why set up your international business in Malaga, southern Spain? 

The process of modernisation and internationalisation of the city of Malaga began more than 20 years ago, and its attractiveness today rests on four solid pillars: trade, technology, science and university.

An ecosystem that values innovation and digital transformation 

Malaga has situated itself as a European Silicon Valley, known as “Malaga Valley”, making the city a centre of ideas and innovation, capable of attracting companies from around the world, Research and Development (R&D), and technology investments. Malaga has been labelled a “city of science and innovation” and a “smart city”, ahead of capitals such as Madrid or Barcelona.

Key sectors: sustainable and safe housing, intelligent mobility, innovative economy, ICT infrastructure, digital transformation and citizen services. 

Malaga Valley’s strategic plan rests on the following fundamental pillars:

• Andalusia Technology Park, with more than 634 companies, 18,750 workers and a turnover of almost €2 million (2017 figures).
• The University of Malaga, linked to the Seville Andalusia Tech’s International Excellence Campus (R + D + I). Committed to R&D, 1,706 research projects were carried out and 241 patents filed between 2000 and 2015. On the university campus, in addition to the faculties and services, there is a Business Science Park and the Green Ray-UMA Link building, which connects the University to the Technology Park of Andalusia.
• The Railway Technology Centre, designed as a multidisciplinary innovation space specialised in technological monitoring and R&D management for ADIF’s (Spanish state-owned railway infrastructure manager) national and international projects. Up until now, 23 companies have permanent staff and more than 81 researchers who, together with ADIF staff, total more than 100 people dedicated to research, development and railway innovation.
• The Malaga Presidents Club, the headquarters of the annual meetings of the Malaga Valley Club, e-27, made up of more than 300 company presidents, is considered the most relevant technological think tank in Europe, with the aim of identifying ICT business opportunities and making Malaga a world centre of technological reference, capable of attracting R&D investment.
• Promalaga urbanLab, established in the city as a space for innovation of urban technologies. These are initiatives that have made Malaga a true urban laboratory:
  • The Telefónica Innovation Centre and the Andalusia Open Future Programme of Telefónica
  • Smart Grid from Endesa
  • ZEM2ALL Electric Cars
  • MIT light measurements with Ferrovial
  • Energy efficiency of FCC ELI-MED buildings
  • IBM E-Plus...
• A closed test track north of the Andalusia Technology Park, a European reference for testing the autonomous and connected cars of the future.