The institution, which bridges businesses and government, has witnessed a “profound transformation of Madrid’s ecosystem” over the past decade. These changes haven’t happened by chance—they stem from a combination of factors including favorable taxation, business confidence, and legal certainty.
In this interview, Chamber President Ángel Asensio explores what drives this success, Madrid’s competitive edge over other regions, and the changing profile of foreign companies and investors choosing Madrid today. According to him, they’re now “more diverse, sophisticated, and focused on added value, technology, and knowledge” than in the past.
The Madrid Chamber of Commerce has been a key player in the region’s economic development for more than a century. For those who may not be familiar with its work, how would you describe the institution’s role and its contribution to Madrid’s business community?
A.A.: The Madrid Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit institution that serves all individuals, companies and organizations that make up the business and productive fabric of the Community of Madrid. Since 1887, as a public-law corporation committed to the region’s economic development, its mission has been to represent and defend the general interests of Madrid’s business community; to support and promote companies from their creation through to their growth and international expansion; to act as a bridge between the private sector and public administrations; and to help create a regulatory, fiscal and administrative environment that fosters competitiveness and investment.
The Chamber is also part of an international network of more than 12,000 chambers of commerce, opening doors around the world for Madrid’s companies.
We support over 45,600 companies every year across our various areas of activity: training, advisory services, internationalization, dispute resolution, corporate spaces and a wide range of institutional initiatives.
This role—accompanying businesses, offering institutional support, and acting as a trusted interlocutor—helps both local firms and multinationals find in Madrid a stable and reliable environment to grow. At the same time, we guide and support Madrid-based companies as they expand abroad, facilitating procedures, connecting them with local networks, and helping them attract talent and partners.
The Madrid Region has become one of Europe’s most dynamic and competitive regions. From your vantage point at the Chamber, how have you experienced this transformation and what changes have you observed in the region’s business and economic profile?
A.A.: Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed a profound transformation of Madrid’s ecosystem. The city is no longer just an administrative capital—it has become a global hub for investment, talent, innovation and advanced industries.
For example, in 2024 the Community of Madrid attracted 67.1% of all foreign direct investment (FDI) received in Spain, amounting to €24.7 billion. And in high-tech sectors, Madrid captured 85.3% of national FDI—more than €8.3 billion.
These inflows are reflected in a more diverse and sophisticated business landscape: more knowledge-intensive companies in technology, life sciences, clean energy, advanced services; more scale-ups, R&D hubs, technology centres and multinationals choosing Madrid as their operational base.
The entrepreneurial mindset has also evolved. Madrid’s companies are now more dynamic, collaborative, innovation-driven and globally oriented. This has strengthened the region’s resilience and its capacity to adapt to global challenges.
What would you say are the key factors that explain this evolution and set Madrid apart?
A.A.: Several decisive factors are at play. The first is trust. A trust built not by chance, but by consistency—solid legal certainty, institutional stability, investment-friendly economic policy, a competitive tax system, world-class infrastructures and a dynamic, open business ecosystem. Added to this is highly qualified human capital and a cultural and social environment that makes Madrid one of the most attractive cities in the world to live, work and invest in.
To illustrate this with data: in 2024 the Madrid economy grew by 3.3%, outperforming the national average for the fourth consecutive year. According to regional accounts, Madrid’s GDP represents nearly 20% of Spain’s total. In employment terms, Madrid generates one out of every five new jobs created in Spain—more than 250 jobs per day. Over 27,000 new companies were created in 2024, the highest figure in 18 years and around 23% of the national total.
These numbers reflect not only a strong economy but also a model that inspires confidence among international investors, local entrepreneurs, young talent and established companies looking to grow.
From your experience, what does Madrid offer that other regions—both in Spain and across Europe—do not? Where does its true competitive advantage lie?
A.A.: To begin with, the Community of Madrid is a region where no one feels like an outsider—whether as an individual or as an organization. It is a major European metropolis with a relatively agile administration, a stable regulatory environment, and the capacity to host professionals, large multinationals and innovative SMEs alike.
Its geostrategic location makes it a natural hub connecting Europe with Latin America, North Africa and the Middle East. This geographic connectivity, combined with its economic, cultural and social ecosystem, creates a competitive advantage that is hard to replicate.
In addition, Madrid has a strong institutional support ecosystem—public agencies, investment-promotion bodies and institutions such as the Chamber—that make it easier for companies to establish, grow and consolidate operations. This “complete ecosystem” also sets Madrid apart.
What role has the Chamber played in attracting and consolidating foreign investment? What services do international companies value most?
A.A.: The Chamber plays an active, leading role in attracting and integrating foreign investment in Madrid. We work alongside agencies such as Invest in Madrid, public institutions and private organizations to provide comprehensive support: identifying opportunities, offering regulatory advice, assisting with procedures, helping find local partners, supporting talent recruitment and training, and facilitating business networks.
International companies particularly value our guidance on regulatory, tax and labor issues; our support with site selection, establishment and access to infrastructure; and our assistance with hiring talent, training and adapting to the Spanish market. They also appreciate three highly useful services: business networking spaces to connect with partners or clients; information that provides legal certainty as they establish and grow; and mediation services when needed.
Through these services, the Chamber helps Madrid not only attract investment but retain and consolidate it, turning foreign projects into stable, long-term operations.
How would you describe the profile of foreign investors coming to Madrid today? Has it changed in recent years in terms of sectors, company size or motivations?
A.A.: Today’s foreign investor in Madrid is more diverse, sophisticated and focused on high-value, technology-driven and knowledge-intensive activity. While Madrid continues to attract large multinationals and investors in traditional industries, it is increasingly drawing startups, scale-ups, investment funds, tech companies, R&D firms, innovation hubs and data centres.
Motivations have also evolved. Beyond the local market, investors seek access to talent, institutional and regulatory stability, international connectivity, logistical capacity, expansion opportunities into European and Latin American markets, and a supportive ecosystem with advanced services.
The fastest-growing investment sectors include technology, telecommunications, data centres, clean energy, advanced services, R&D and other knowledge-intensive activities.
Which sectors are showing the most dynamism in the region? Beyond established industries such as technology, finance or tourism, are there any emerging sectors that the Chamber is particularly supporting?
A.A.: Madrid maintains its strength in traditional sectors like finance, tourism, commerce and professional services, but we’re also seeing rapid growth in emerging knowledge-intensive industries. Five areas stand out:
Technology and digital innovation. Madrid leads national high-tech foreign direct investment, attracting over €8.3 billion in 2024. The region is home to around 325,000 tech professionals—roughly 43% of Spain’s total.
Data centres and cloud infrastructure. Madrid hosts over half of Spain’s data centre capacity, with 46 facilities, making it the national leader.
Biosciences, health, clean energy and sustainability. These are fast-growing sectors aligned with global trends in ecological transition and digitalization.
Advanced logistics and distribution. Supported by Madrid’s strategic location, connectivity and role as an intercontinental gateway, backed by world-class airport, rail and highway infrastructure.
Creative industries and advanced services. This includes content production, specialized professional services, international trade in services, consulting, R&D and more.
The Chamber supports all sectors and companies that request our assistance—from the most traditional to the most innovative. We provide services to more than 45,600 companies across our activity areas and over 26,500 through business services. In entrepreneurship alone, we advise over 4,000 entrepreneurs. Supporting this diversity is what keeps Madrid at the forefront in investment, quality job creation, innovation and global competitiveness.
Data such as Madrid concentrating 85% of high-tech foreign investment or hitting record levels of international visitors point to a strong pull effect. How does the Chamber work to reinforce these strengths? Are there sectors receiving additional support?
A.A.: Our work is structured around several concrete areas. The first is talent development and training. We promote programmes focused on digital skills, emerging technologies, business management and internationalisation. In doing so, we help ensure that incoming companies find highly qualified professionals who match their needs and the demands of the market.
The second area is support for business digitalisation and innovation. We advise SMEs and larger companies on modernisation processes, technology adoption, productivity improvements and international expansion, delivering more than 3,000 services and issuing over 2,000 digital certificates. In terms of support for the self-employed, we process around one thousand applications each year, and I would highlight our role in disseminating and promoting the regional Digital Kit, with 82,828 vouchers granted, 97,934 agreements validated and 87,618 justifications processed. In addition, the Acelera Pyme Office provides personalised guidance and brings together around one thousand participants in its information sessions, while through TIC Negocios we organise webinars and in-person events that attract more than one thousand attendees annually.
The third area is the active promotion of Madrid in global markets. We work closely with organisations such as Invest in Madrid to attract new projects and organise trade missions, investor missions, international fairs and presentations to foreign funds.
The fourth area is our institutional and business support network, which facilitates connections between investors, public administrations, local companies and specialised service providers in legal, fiscal and labour matters. This reduces entry barriers and helps new projects integrate smoothly.
Through this strategy, the Chamber contributes to consolidating Madrid’s position as a leading destination for foreign investment, innovation, business creation and employment.
The Chamber was one of the sponsors of the Madrid Investment Forum. What is your assessment of the event? Does it truly help strengthen Madrid’s positioning as an international investment and business hub?
A.A.: Our assessment of the Madrid Investment Forum is very positive. As sponsors, we saw firsthand how the event showcased Madrid’s strengths—its business ecosystem, investment appeal, talent, logistics capacity, international connectivity and stability.
The Forum created a space for direct dialogue among institutions, international investors, funds, business leaders and entrepreneurs, helping open new investment rounds, activate projects, promote partnerships and reinforce Madrid’s role as an international hub for business, innovation and talent.
We believe that well-organized, ambitious, internationally focused initiatives like this are essential to projecting the region abroad, attracting new investors and strengthening its reputation as a competitive, modern and dynamic destination.
Looking ahead, what major strategic lines is the Chamber working on? What are your priorities for 2026?
A.A.: Looking toward 2026, the Chamber’s strategy centres on five major priorities. First, we aim to enhance business competitiveness and resilience by promoting digitalization, innovation, advanced technologies, continuous training and process modernization, with particular attention to SMEs and mid-sized firms. Second, we will reinforce internationalization and investment attraction, strengthening our services and collaboration with Invest in Madrid and other institutions, boosting Madrid’s visibility in global markets, and supporting foreign companies throughout their establishment and expansion processes.
A third priority is talent development. We plan to broaden our training offer and align it with emerging sectors such as technology, data, sustainability and R&D, while also fostering talent retention in the region. In parallel, we will continue supporting a sustainable and innovative economy by promoting initiatives linked to the ecological transition, green growth and responsible digitalization. Finally, we will strengthen mediation services and the Court of Arbitration—one of the most reputable institutions in Spain and internationally—providing agile, confidential and highly specialized mechanisms that help companies avoid lengthy judicial proceedings.
Ultimately, our goal is to help Madrid consolidate its position as a European benchmark for investment, innovation, talent and quality of life, ensuring that companies investing in the region find the best possible conditions to grow, innovate and compete globally.
Finally, if you had to explain to a foreign company why it should consider Madrid as a destination to invest, grow and innovate, what arguments would you highlight?
A.A.: I would say with confidence that Madrid is a unique opportunity. A company choosing Madrid will find a stable, modern and competitive environment with strong legal certainty and a favourable regulatory framework. It will discover a diverse business ecosystem—technology, services, R&D, digitalization, innovation, sustainability—offering opportunities to grow, innovate and diversify; access to highly qualified talent; continuous training; and a wide mix of professional profiles.
It will also enjoy international connectivity and strategic logistics, institutional and business support, advisory services, business networks, and seamless facilitation for establishment and expansion. And it will benefit from exceptional quality of life, culture, urban infrastructure and social environment—factors that make investment here a stable, long-term choice.
Investing in Madrid is not just opening an office. It means joining a vibrant, global ecosystem with real opportunities for growth, innovation and success.